When it comes to cutting grocery bills and greenhouse gasses, there are apps for that.

Dave Faries here, letting you know that I mostly avoid social media and have never opened most of the apps that came with my phone. My home computer is merely a tool for paying bills and playing Strat-O-Matic baseball.

I mention that as an excuse. Until a month ago, I was oblivious to the fact that apps such as Too Good To Go, Flashfood and Careit had enlisted in the fight to cut food waste. According to data included in this week’s cover story, food that ends up in landfills or rots in the field accounts for 230 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year in the U.S. alone. And the amount of food tossed by individuals each year can cost them $800 or more.

Careit is an app that links grocery stores, restaurants and other food producers with organizations that provide for those in need. But Flashfood and Too Good To Go allow consumers to enter the fight.

I learned about Too Good To Go from the Weekly’s business development director, Keely Richter, so I’m giving her credit for inspiring the cover story. I downloaded it—the apps are free—and ordered a loaf of bread from Ad Astra. Normally selling for $12, the olive bread cost $3.99 on the app. I found Flashfood through an online search (I do know how to manage that on a computer) and picked up several items at a discount from Lucky in Sand City, including a weighty box of produce for $5.

These are items that are nearing their expiration date or did not sell, for whatever reason. So the apps represent that rare thing—a win for all involved. Users get food at reduced prices, restaurants and grocery stores get something for products they were otherwise going to throw out, most of it is kept out of landfills and, yes, the app companies make a profit.

There’s more to the story, but you can check it out here. As for me, I’ll continue to scroll past Instagram, Spotify, Royal Match and other apps installed on my phone. But Too Good To Go and Flashfood are services I appreciate—even if I’m late to the game.