What Is Imperfect Produce?
Food waste probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the major environmental problems we face here in the United States - but it should be.
One major culprit for food waste are farms and grocery stores. Over 20% of produce grown in America never make it to grocery stores because they aren't aesthetically pleasing. This produce is perfectly nutritious and valuable as the fruits and vegetables, but the only difference is that they are little misshapen. That's where Imperfect Produce comes in; they're a company is determined to put an end to this kind of food waste by repurposing the "ugly" food farmers and grocery stores don't want. They take the leftover produce, pack it into a subscription box, and deliver it to your door step for 30% less than what you would get at the grocery store.
What Comes In The Subscription Box?
When signing up for Imperfect Produce, there are four different boxes you can choose from:
- Organic - Imperfect Produce's most popular box. It contains 100% certified-organic fruits and vegetables that are perfect cooking, snacking, and whatever else your heart desires.
- Mixed Fruit & Veggie - This is Imperfect Produce's best value box; you get a tasty mix of fruits and veggies at a low cost.
- All Fruit - This box is full of all the fruit you could of ever dream of!
- All Veggie - Need some more greens in your life? This box is chock full of them!
You can also customize your box by picking and choosing specific foods you want in your box, what you could do without, and adding additional quantities.
How Much Does Imperfect Produce Cost?
The cost of each box depends on the quantity of food you order. Since Imperfect Produce is trying to eliminate food waste (obviously), each food item is priced individually so you only pay for what you need and no produce goes unused. There are also four tiers of sizes (small through extra large) that are priced according to whether the produce is organic or conventional. On top of the price for each individual box, there is a flat fee of $4.99 for each delivery.
Where Is Imperfect Produce Available?
Though Imperfect Produce is growing quite rapidly, they are not quite available nationwide yet. Here's where they currently deliver:
- Bay Area, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Orange County, CA
- Greater Sacramento Area, CA (including Davis)
- San Diego, CA
- Washington, D.C.
- Chicago, IL Metro Area
- Indianapolis, IN
- Baltimore, MD
- Montgomery County, MD
- Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN Metro Area
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
- Houston, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- Portland, OR Metro Area
- Northern Virginia, VA
- Seattle, WA Metro Area (including Tacoma and Olympia)
- Madison, WI
- Milwaukee, WI
What Imperfect Produce Customers Are Saying
According to Imperfect Produce's Facebook page, the company has mostly glowing reviews and an average of 4.6/5 stars. Here's what their customers are saying:
- "I love Imperfect! It’s easy, affordable and the produce is always excellent quality. The staff / website and user interaction is easy, friendly and fun. This saves me time and money compared to the local grocer."
- "I buy organic so I know that I'm going to pay a little more and since I also grow veggies i know how hard it can be to grow a perfect looking plant without GMO or insecticides. For my family it is a good choice."
- "Imperfect produce is amazing! Together we are helping save food that would otherwise go to waste, helping support the farmers and eating fruits and vegetables together! I love seeing what is being offered from week to week, season to season at really great prices. The customer service never seizes to amaze me, anytime I have had a question or concern they have always promptly responded and have taken excellent care of me and I can tell they truly value their consumers."
Though most customers had positive things to say about Imperfect Produce, there were a few complaints, like foods coming in bruised or wilted and the costs being too much. Even though it seems like the "ugly" food subscription boxes work out for most, be mindful that perishable items (no matter where they come from) might not always be delivered in the condition that you envision.
If you like getting your food delivered to your home, you don't care if your carrots are a little crooked, and you want to help combat food waste, Imperfect Produce is definitely the food subscription box for you.
