Screenshot of the new 8% service fee change on Flashfood on January 13, 2026

I’m writing this blog post on a whim upon finding out the new Flashfood service fee because it is appalling, dishonest, and sneaky.

I first started using Flashfood in mid-2023 to buy discounted grocery items at 50% off the retail price because the item was either nearing its “best before date” or the store had surplus stock and needed to sell it.   It was AMAZING because I got to buy our essential items for a lower cost and our family of five (back then) was able to save a ton of money and combat the rising costs of groceries.

On April 11, 2024, users were informed by Flashfood via e-mail that they were updating their Terms of Use, among which there was going to be a newly added service fee of 5% implemented “to support the Flashfood platform and create a secure, enjoyable experience that protects your data”.  I understood this and while I did not enjoy having to pay 5% and then have tax charged on TOP of the 5%, I was happy to pay it because it meant that my favourite food-saving app could stay afloat and hopefully expand to more major retailers.  The 5% service fee began showing up on my Flashfood receipts on May 1, 2024.

It is now January 13, 2026 and since the last service fee implementation, there have been no new major supermarket stores (in my area — Greater Toronto Area) added to the app.  Sure, employees in the stores have been posting more items on to the app than before, but there have been no other improvements or store additions.

Today, January 13, 2026, I was informed by a lovely reader on my blog that Flashfood suddenly INCREASED the service fee from 5% to 8%!!!  WTF?!?  Why was there no announcement or e-mail sent to users about this significant change?  It is so sneaky and dishonest to the existing users.  What is the +3% increase for?  There has been no reason or explanation.

I promote and share about Flashfood to my friends and family ALL the time.  It is the best app we use to feed our family for cheap and now it is hard to fathom paying another 3% more.  Moreover, the fact that Flashfood didn’t even tell us about this increase is gravely disheartening and shatters my trust in the company.

This is a rant, and I know it will show up in Google searches once word gets about how the new Flashfood 8% service fee.  At minimum, this blog post will serve as a historical bookmark to document the changes that Flashfood is making to their service fees:

• May 1, 2024:  Flashfood adds 5% service fee
• January 2026:  Flashfood increases service fee from 5% to 8%.

I’m SO disappointed in you, Flashfood.  I cannot believe you would pull the wool over our eyes like this.