Imperfect Foods is on a mission to eliminate food waste by sourcing "imperfect" or "ugly" produce and grocery items that farmers and suppliers would otherwise discard. By rescuing this food and delivering it straight to your doorstep, Imperfect Foods not only helps reduce food waste but also offers an affordable and convenient way to shop for groceries.
Since 2016, we have been using Imperfect Foods and the experienced company involved from Imperfect Produce to Imperfect Foods. Now, we are thrilled to be experiencing the company's merger with Misfits Market.
What Is Imperfect Foods?
Imperfect Foods is a subscription service that delivers fresh produce to your door. They specialize in providing "imperfect" or "ugly" produce, which are fruits and vegetables that do not meet the strict cosmetic standards of traditional grocery stores.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, they also offer a variety of grocery items such as dairy, meat, and pantry staples that are sourced directly from farmers and producers.
The company's mission is to reduce food waste and promote sustainability by rescuing and repurposing food that might otherwise be discarded and building a better food system.
What Makes Imperfect Foods Imperfect?
The word imperfect can be a little scary, especially when it comes to food. Probably millions of thoughts are going through your head; why is it imperfect? What is wrong with it? Here are some of the most common reasons that perfectly good food gets rejected by grocery stores and could end up going to waste, now adopted by Imperfect Foods.
Cosmetic
Every grocery store has its own standard and spec when it comes to food. Ultimately they want the food to look beautiful and perfect. So this means the ones that have personalities will get rejected.
Off-Spec
Sometimes the food doesn't meet the strict specification set by the buyers, so they get rejected. Many of these are caused by how the food is harvested or packaged.
Surplus/Excess Inventory
Unpredictable nature happens. Sometimes, farmers or producers find themselves with way too much than they had planned. Or suddenly, there is a category of trendy food, and the demand for the food is way less. It leaves farmers and producers with perfectly good food that suddenly has no future.
Undervalued
Perfectly good food goes to waste every day simply because there isn't enough demand for it.
Packaging Change
Sometimes brands do a makeover. However, when they change the packaging on one of their products, an unintended consequence is that the old packaging is often stuck in food purgatory.
Short-Coded
Traditional retail stores won't stock items or purchase from the manufacturer with expiration dates less than a few months away. To help close the loop on this needless source of food waste, Imperfect Foods sources products that are "short-coded" so they can find a good home instead of being stranded in a warehouse.
How Much Do Imperfect Foods Cost?
The cost of Imperfect Foods varies depending on a number of factors, such as your location, the size of your order, the type of box you select, and the items you select.
Just like shopping at the grocery store, Imperfect Foods items are priced individually, so how much it will cost will be up to what you add to your cart.
Free delivery eligibility varies depending on your location and the type of box you choose. In some areas, a minimum order value is required to qualify for free delivery. For instance, in our area, you must order at least $60 to be eligible for complimentary shipping.
How Do Imperfect Foods Work?
After you enter your zip code, you will be given a delivery day (the day of the week), and your box will be delivered weekly/every other week/monthly on that day. You also will be given a time period of when you can customize your box.
After you sign up, you will be asked to answer a few questions, like what item category you plan on purchasing, how often you would like your box to be delivered, etc. It only takes a second to answer.
You have the flexibility to switch from weekly to every other week delivery at any time. Additionally, if you won't be available for a certain week and won't need your box, you can simply skip that week. The above image serves as an example of how to do this.
When it's time to customize your box (you will be given a shopping window), you will notice there are already items in your cart. Don't panic. You don't actually have to buy these. These items are selected just in case you forget to customize your box. If you are a picky eater, be sure to customize your box!
There are two ways to customize your box:
You can go through the contents of your box first, remove any items you don't like, and then shop for and add the items you do want.
Alternatively, you can shop for the items you like, create a final list, and then remove any unwanted items before finalizing your box.
After you sign up, you will be asked to answer a few questions, like what item category you plan on purchasing, how often you would like your box to be delivered, etc. It only takes a second to answer.
You have the flexibility to switch from weekly to every other week delivery at any time. Additionally, if you won't be available for a certain week and won't need your box, you can simply skip that week. The above image serves as an example of how to do this.
When it's time to customize your box (you will be given a shopping window), you will notice there are already items in your cart. Don't panic. You don't actually have to buy these. These items are selected just in case you forget to customize your box. If you are a picky eater, be sure to customize your box!
There are two ways to customize your box:
You can go through the contents of your box first, remove any items you don't like, and then shop for and add the items you do want.
Alternatively, you can shop for the items you like, create a final list, and then remove any unwanted items before finalizing your box.
My Imperfect Foods Review
Pros:
- Imperfect Foods offers a variety of produce. From your staples like eggs, apples, milk, bread, etc., to seasonal produce. It offers a large enough selection that you no longer need to go to your local grocery store.
- Organic produce is available
- Super convenient to order, and your box will show up at your door.
- The whole ordering process only takes a few minutes. You can save a ton of time just by using this service. Think about all that traffic going to the store and waiting in line to pay for your items.
- Imperfect Foods' website is super user-friendly.
- You will know exactly what makes it imperfect. Every item comes with a description of why it is imperfect.
- You have the flexibility of skipping delivery. If you have to go out of town or you simply still have way too much produce left from last week, you can skip a week of delivery.
- You can cancel your subscription anytime, which is super easy. No awkward phone calls or emails. All you have to do is to click cancel service in your account. It is that easy!
- You will always get a text message when your produce is near your house and then a second message when it is delivered to your door with a picture. This way, you know exactly where your produce is.
- Usually, you do not need to be home when your box is delivered. As long as it's clear to the driver where to leave the box. If you live in an apartment building that requires an access code, you can provide instructions to Imperfect Foods so they can deliver your box to your door.
- Imperfect Food employees and their trucks deliver each box. It is not UPS or other delivery services that deliver your goodies. We LOVE that because it creates jobs for locals.
- By purchasing items from Imperfect Foods, you can be helping to reduce food waste by purchasing imperfect items.
- Imperfect Foods recycle their box, cooler bags, and ice pack. By leaving them outside on your delivery day, the truck driver will pick it up when they drop off your new box.
Cons:
- The items available weekly are not consistent. If you see something you like this week, it might not be there next week.
- This delivery service isn't for anyone who likes to support local produce.
- There is a $4.99-$5.99 delivery fee to cover the costs involved in getting your box from their warehouse to your door unless you meet the order minimum.
Misfits Market vs. Imperfect Foods
Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market are both companies that offer grocery delivery services focused on reducing food waste by selling "imperfect" or "ugly" produce and other food items that may not meet traditional grocery store standards. Both services are very similar as they use many of the same suppliers, and the major difference is their focus on geographic areas.
Because Mistit Market acquired Imperfect Foods in the fall of 2022, there is little difference between the two companies. In fact, when you order Imperfect Foods, you can see some of the co-branded boxes on your doorstep. Eventually, the two companies will combine their sourcing effort, and the difference is minimal.
Our Ratings Of The Subscription Service
Quality
Our Score: 4.8/5
After ordering years from Imperfect Foods, their produce is consistently fresh and high quality. While sometimes the produce doesn't look perfect on the outside, that doesn't mean it isn't perfectly good on the inside.
Variety
Our Score: 5/5
Imperfect Foods offers a wide variety of produce even if you have dietary restrictions. You can find a ray of produce options, from organic fruits and vegetables to dairy packs, grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, and sustainably sourced seafood. Sometimes, you can even find non-produce items here like pet food and beauty products, at Imperfect Foods.
Price
Our Score: $$
Imperfect Foods offer a wide selection of high-quality meats, dairy, and pantry staples priced competitively, with many items priced lower than what you'll find at your local grocery store. Plus, with the convenience of home delivery and the ability to customize your box to your preferences, shopping with Imperfect Foods is affordable and incredibly convenient.
When Imperfect Foods first started, they offered items at a more affordable price point. They also used to claim you can save up to 30%. Today, we find the price is as competitive as your local grocery store, but they do provide the convenience of delivering to your door. As far as saving money, we don't think you will save significantly and recommend you make some price comparisons with your local stores.
Here are a few examples of pricing (as of April 2023):
Convenience
Our Score: 5/5
Imperfect Foods is committed to making it easy and convenient for you to shop and get food delivered right to your doorstep. With their customizable subscription service, you can choose the frequency and contents of your deliveries, so you always have the food you need on hand, without having to make extra trips to the store. Not to mention, their website is very easy to use.
Overall
Our Score: 4.8/5
Overall we love Imperfect Foods as our grocery delivery service and have been using them for years. We continue to use Imperfect Foods because they offer high quality, a large variety of fresh produce that gets delivered to your door.
It is convenient to order with only a few clicks, and you will get the content of your order delivered right to your door. It really helps ease the grocery shopping process for anyone with a busy schedule or seeking convenience. But convenience isn't just about saving time, it's also about making it easy to eat well with fresh and organic products, even when life gets hectic.
In addition, using Imperfect Foods helps reduce food waste, saving food from otherwise being thrown out, and supports building a more sustainable food system means that you can feel good about the impact you're making with every box you receive.
Click here to get $20 off your first order!
Common FAQs
Do You Need To Be Home For Delivery?
Usually, no, as long as it's clear to the driver where to leave your box. If you live in an apartment building that requires an access code, you can provide instructions to Imperfect Foods so they can deliver your box to your door.
Will My Meat Go Bad If I Didn't Fridge Them Immediately After Receiving The Imperfect Foods Box?
Delivery typically happens between 12 pm to 8 pm. You should refrigerate it immediately upon receiving it. However, if you are unable to, don't worry. Imperfect food does pack your meat with an ice pack.
If you know you will be out all day, and your box will be sitting in the hot sun all day, you can invest in a cooler. You can instruct the delivery person to put the items that require registration in your cooler.
How Do I Know When The Box Will Be Delivered?
Before Imperfect Foods make its delivery, you will receive an automated text message when your Imperfect Foods box is getting close. And another text with when the box has been delivered with a picture.
Are There Any Delivery Fees?
There is a $4.99-$5.99 delivery fee to cover the costs involved in getting your box from their warehouse to your door. However, depending on your location, Imperfect Foods do offer free delivery if you hit a minimum.
Please note that this Imperfect Foods review is based on our experience. It is not a sponsored post. This post contains our referral link. This means if you do sign up, you will get $20 off your first box, and I will also get a discount on our box.
