A Game-Changing Food Service That's Good for You and the Planet

KOLOBOX - a whole new experience for me. I'd heard about services like this in Europe, but I'd never tried one here. I'm glad I gave it a shot, now I'm a regular customer!

The philosophy and idea behind KOLOBOX:

KOLOBOX is a space where taste and a concern for nature come together

Our mission is to preserve what already exists and open up new possibilities!

We want to help businesses reduce food waste and users try new foods without breaking the bank. And together, we can make a contribution to saving the environment.

Let me put it in my own words: the stores, cafes, and restaurants offer a surprise package of food or products at half the price. And the surprise is what's inside the package!

The service works through the website or through the app. The app is way more convenient.

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Installing the app

You can download it from Google Play without any issues. The icon is unmistakable - a cheerful little balloon with wings:

Then you need to log in. Everything's standard. During the app installation, there are a few screens that explain how the service works in general - 4 simple steps that cover everything:

1. Find the Koloboks (in your favorite spot and a convenient location) 2. Book and pay 3. Arrive at a convenient time - the interval is specified (basically, it's all day) at the venue and pick up 4. Find out what's in the surprise package

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Finding Koloboks and booking

On the main screen, there are collections of venues based on your search query

But I prefer to navigate using the map. It's way more convenient.

The map shows which venues in the city are part of the project. You can get a general idea of what to expect and by area

One of the cool features is that you can switch the map to show places that currently offer Coloboxes. You can track them in online mode, which is super convenient.

Once you find the Colobox you want, the process is pretty straightforward. You just need to book it, pay, and show up within the time frame specified in the order.

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My experience using the app

I have to say, the app is super user-friendly and intuitive. It's really easy to load and log in.

There are various search options for finding Coloboxes, including price, location, availability, quantity, dish type, and venue.

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My experience using the service

I've used the service twice so far.

The first time, I ordered a Colobox from a cafe near my place that I'd never tried before. I read up on the cafe's description and the dishes I could get, and I decided to go for a small Colobox for 190 rubles.

The ordering process was smooth, and I picked it up at a time that suited me.

Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with the cafe or the dishes I got.

For 190 rubles, I got three salads and a pie, which was a bit of a letdown.

I was a bit disappointed, but it was tolerable. I'm glad I tried it for a good price and understood that I won't be coming back. That's one of the main benefits of the service - you can try it, save some money, and make a decision.

I had a much more positive experience the second time. I ordered a Koloboks at a cafe I've visited a few times. I'm really glad they're part of this service.

Unfortunately, they only had one small Koloboks for 190 rubles. I would've happily ordered the medium for 390 or the large for 690. Their baked goods are divine!

I arrived within 3 minutes of ordering and got my Koloboks - delicious baked goods!

I couldn't resist eating it until I got home. I ate it right in the car - all delicious and perfectly fresh!

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My impression of the Koloboks service

I'm impressed with the convenience of the service and the idea itself.

Not only does the service allow you to save some money, but it's also a great opportunity to try new cafes, taste new dishes, and help the planet (by not letting food go to waste)

As for the downsides: in St. Petersburg, there aren't that many establishments that have joined the program yet. I'm keeping an eye on it and waiting for more to join!

!!! I highly recommend this service, and I'll definitely be using it regularly

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Other services I'd like to share:

The Tetris Online School website - Instead of yelling at your kid over homework, sign them up for Tetris. I've used the platform for 3 years now (2 kids), and it's super convenient. However, the quality of the lessons depends on the teacher. I docked a star for that reason.

5post - Delivery services for online orders to pick-up points and post offices in Perekrestok supermarkets - Sending Avito packages through 5post to Perekrestok. It's easy and convenient, but there are some nuances to be aware of.

ProfHero.ru - Choosing a profession: all means are good, or how to help a teenager decide - When choosing a profession, all means are good, or how to help a teenager decide.

Level Kitchen - A service for delivering healthy meals - Level Kitchen's 1000-15 month subscription - a normal flight!

Food delivery and pick-up at T-Bank - I wouldn't recommend it. I tried to save 70% with the cashback, but they overcharged me by 4,585 rubles. The food wasn't even good.