Waste Not, Welcome More: Our Partnership with Too Good To Go
Why Food Waste Became Personal
At Executive Deli & Cafe, we believe food should feed people — not landfills. But in the early days of running the deli, I found myself facing a challenge I hadn’t expected: leftovers.
As I learned to properly judge how much soup and how many lunch specials to prepare each day, I also had to navigate the reality of quick‑to‑perish ingredients. I tried everything — sending food home with my parents and Chris’s parents, using excess for the Friday night Bible study dinners we host, even freezing what I could. But it wasn’t enough.
Grab‑N‑Go: Convenience Meets Complexity
The problem grew as we began experimenting with new items for our Grab‑N‑Go section:
Premade sandwiches
Veggie medleys with dips
Greek yogurt parfaits
Previous‑day soups and specials
These additions brought variety and convenience to our customers — but also more unpredictability.
An Answer to Prayer: Too Good To Go
That’s when I discovered Too Good To Go — and it was an answer to prayer.
Through this partnership, we now offer surprise bags filled with fresh, unsold food at a reduced price. It’s a way to rehome our excess, reduce waste, and welcome new faces into our deli.
What Customers Are Saying
The response has been incredible. Too Good To Go customers have shared kind words, excitement, and gratitude — many discovering our deli for the first time through the app.
For many, the fun is in the surprise itself: opening a bag to find a mix of soups, sandwiches, salads, or parfaits they might not have tried otherwise.
Hospitality in Every Bag
We’ve met people from all walks of life, and each bag feels like a small act of stewardship. It’s not just about saving food — it’s about expanding hospitality.
Whether it’s a sandwich, a soup, or a parfait, we’re grateful for every chance to nourish someone new.
Try a Surprise Bag
If you’d like to try a surprise bag yourself, you can find us on the Too Good To Go app — and maybe discover a new favorite along the way.
Keep Reading
If you’re just joining us, we’d love to introduce ourselves.
Start with Part One: Chris & Natalie — the husband-and-wife team behind the counter and on the line.
Want to know what led us to take over the deli? (coming soon)
In Part Two, we share the leap of faith, answered prayers, and vision that keep us going — even on the hard days.