What counts as surplus
Any good food that is still fine to eat and would otherwise be thrown away at the end of its shift:
- The evening tray at a bakery: breads, buns, pastries and cake.
- Portions a restaurant prepared for a lunch rush that was smaller than planned.
- A café’s sandwiches, snacks and bakes as closing time approaches.
- Fruit, vegetables and packaged groceries close to their best-before date.
- Sweets and farsan a shop made in a batch larger than the day’s sales.
Surplus appears all day, from the morning batch to the evening tray. On Nosh, businesses list it whenever it appears, so the best deals are often up well before closing time.
Why it costs less
The food cost the same to make. What changed is time. Tomorrow it has little value to the business, so today it would rather sell it at a discount than bin it.
The discount is the business’s choice. On Nosh you see the original price and the Nosh price side by side, so you know exactly what you are saving.
Is surplus food safe?
It is the same food the business sold at full price earlier that day. Every seller on Nosh must hold a valid FSSAI registration and is responsible for what it lists. Each listing shows the pickup window, so you know when to collect.
As with any food, check your order before eating and use your judgement, especially if you have allergies.
Why it matters
Food that is thrown away wastes the water, energy and work that went into it, and food rotting in landfill releases methane. The UN estimates that about a fifth of the food available to consumers is wasted (UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024).
Buying surplus keeps food as food. The business recovers some of its cost, you eat well for less, and nothing goes in the bin.
How Nosh works
- See what’s nearbyOpen the app for a map and a feed of local businesses and their deals. Choose exact items, or a surprise bag if you like a bit of chance.
- Reserve and pay in the appEach listing shows the original price, the Nosh price, how many are left and when to collect. You see all of it before you pay.
- Pick it up, or get it deliveredCollect from the counter in your time window. Where delivery is available, it appears at checkout with the fee shown first.
Where Nosh is
Nosh is opening in two Gujarat cities first.
Somewhere else in Gujarat? Join early access anyway and tell us your city.
Run a food business?
- List surplus whenever it appears, morning or evening.
- You set the price and the quantity. Edit or remove listings any time.
- Pay only when you sell: a small commission on each sale, with no upfront or monthly fee.
- A valid FSSAI registration is required.
Common questions
What does surplus food mean?
Good food a business has more of than it can sell: extra bakes, unsold portions, or stock close to its best-before date. Sellers are responsible for the quality and safety of what they list, and must hold a valid FSSAI registration.
Where is Nosh available?
Nosh is opening first in Ahmedabad and Bharuch. Join early access to hear when your city opens. Somewhere else? Choose “Somewhere else” and tell us where, so we know where to go next.
How does collection work?
Choose a pickup time window at checkout, go to the business during that window and collect your order at the counter. The app shows your order moving from placed to ready for pickup.
When is delivery available?
Pickup is the default. Where delivery is available, it appears as an option at checkout, with the delivery fee and estimated time shown before you pay.
Is the food safe to eat?
It is the same food the business sold at full price earlier that day. Sellers are responsible for the quality and safety of what they list. As with any food, check your order before eating and use your judgement, especially with allergies.
What happens after I join early access?
We message you on the number you gave when Nosh opens in your city. You also get a referral link: each friend who joins with it moves you up the list.
How can my business take part?
Send your details in the For sellers section of the homepage. We verify your business (a valid FSSAI registration is needed), approve your store and help you create your first listing. There is no upfront or monthly fee; Nosh takes a small commission on each sale.