Through this Imperfect Foods review, we help to impart knowledge to you on how this company becomes part of the “solutions against food waste”. Furthermore, this, hopefully, will open your eyes to how imperfect food can actually be considered perfect after all.
Food is a very essential item in our day to day lives. We need food to survive. We need food to keep ourselves healthy and in shape.
Can you imagine life without food at all? Survival may be challenging if that would be the case.
Food is a great source of essential vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. We need it to help our bodies function the way they should.
While we can say so much good thing about food, unfortunately, food waste does still exists. Every single day, there is a lot of food that goes to waste. Either because of spoilage or because people are not able to finish their share.
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In an article published by The Washington Post, it quoted a study conducted by the University of Vermont’s Meredith Niles along with researchers at the Department of Agriculture and the University of New Hampshire. It says, “Our data suggest that the average person in the United States wastes about a pound of food per day,” which is equivalent to about 25 percent of all food, by weight, available for consumption in the United States.
Furthermore, in the same article, it says that the sad part is that the environmental costs of that wasted food are huge — that’s 30 million acres of cropland, 4.2 trillion gallons of water and nearly 2 billion pounds of fertilizer.
It’s probably safe to say that with all these numbers, people need to really work hard in lessening food waste. No wonder why companies like Imperfect Foods do exist. It’s actually a good thing that there are people who started the cause of eliminating food waste.
In today’s review, we are highlighting Imperfect Foods, who it is, and what it does.
To be specific, we are going to look into the following:
- What is an ugly produce subscription?
- What is Imperfect Foods?
- How does it work?
- Where is Imperfect Foods available?
- How much does a box cost?
- Does Imperfect Foods subscription save you money?
- When to expect delivery of items?
- How to order? How to customize it?
- How to cancel the subscription?
WHAT IS AN UGLY PRODUCE SUBSCRIPTION?
Before we start our Imperfect Foods review, we thought it is just right to first and foremost discuss what ugly produce subscription is all about — which is the industry where Imperfect Foods belongs.
Ugly produce businesses act as middlemen to source unsellable produce like malformed but fine to eat fruits and vegetables.
Instead of wasting this food produce, ugly produce businesses sell it to consumers, which is pretty much beneficial not just to farmers, but also to consumers themselves. Imagine the amount of savings you get from buying equally good produce — it’s just that they do not look as good as the ones that make it to the groceries.
Just to give you an idea, usually the “imperfections” of these food produce include:
- Cosmetic — This basically refers to groceries’ standards of selling only food that looks beautiful and unblemished.
- Off-Spec — As it is, it is not within the specifications set by the buyer.
- Surplus or Excess Inventory — You know, sometimes nature gives a bountiful harvest, which in turn leads to over-production.
- Undervalued — This refers to food that is not in demand, thus, it ends up going to waste.
- Packaging Change — Sometimes, food packaging change leads to an unintended consequence, which leads to old packaging to get stuck in food purgatory.
WHAT IS IMPERFECT FOODS?
Before we go into details, let us start this Imperfect Foods review with knowing and understanding what this company is all about and what its causes are.
So, having said that, what is Imperfect Foods?
As stated on their website, Imperfect Foods was established in 2015. It was founded with a mission “to eliminate food waste and build a better food system for everyone”.
The company offers various types of imperfect yet equally delicious produce, as well as affordable pantry items, and quality dairy and eggs. Imperfect Foods deliver these items right at their customers’ doorsteps.
The good things do not end there yet as they offer up to 30% discount to their customers, which makes their products cheaper compared to grocery store prices.
With what they offer, the company promises their customers will get “healthy, seasonal produce they want alongside the grocery staples they rely on, without having to compromise their budget or values”.
Furthermore, Imperfect Foods aims to prove that “doing the right thing for the planet doesn’t have to cost more, and that shopping for quality ingredients can support the people and resources that it takes to grow our favorite foods”.
Currently, Imperfect Foods offer its service to 43 states.
Perhaps you are curious about the name — well, do not worry because with the word “imperfect,” it really is quite confusing.
But here’s why it is called as such —
Basically, what Imperfect Foods offer are food items or products that were rejected by grocery stores based on certain grocery standards, which instead of going to waste, they end up on Imperfect Foods’ boxes. It is important to understand that these products are in a good state – and definitely good to eat or cook still.
Before our very own, you may want to check below Imperfect Foods review, which we find very informative, by Miss Sarah EK. Just click the play button to watch the whole thing:
HOW DOES IT WORK?
This Imperfect Foods review will not be complete without us tackling how this entire idea works.
Signing up and shopping with Imperfect Foods is pretty simple. In fact, you can do it in just a few minutes!
Once you have signed up, you basically have to follow these easy steps:
STEP 1: Choose a Grocery Plan
Imperfect Foods lets you choose between organic or conventional produce. Yes, they do cater to both organic and conventional food consumers. On top of that, you may add grocery items that you want to be delivered right at your doorstep on a weekly basis.
STEP 2: Customize Your Order
Imperfect Foods do suggest rather select items for you on a weekly basis. However, they also let you customize your orders based on what your needs are for the week. Note that all the items in your order are customizable. You may keep what you want, or change or remove what you don’t want. As mentioned, you may also add grocery staples, as well as snacks, and other favorite items you want to have.
STEP 3: Wait for Delivery
With Imperfect Foods, it’s basically enjoying shopping right at the comforts of your home. By ordering via this channel, you get to save time, effort, and energy from having to go to the grocery store and do shopping there. Rest assured that your Imperfect Foods order is packed with care, and are delivered straight to your doorstep. Don’t you just love that!?
By availing the services offered by Imperfect Foods, you just don’t save yourself time, money, and energy, but, you also get to help in the efforts to eliminate food waste in the country.
WHERE IS IMPERFECT FOODS AVAILABLE?
As mentioned, Imperfect Foods offer both regular/conventional as well as organic food products. But the question now is, where does Imperfect Foods deliver?
According to its website, Imperfect Foods deliver to most of the United States. If you want to check whether or not it is available in your area, you may head over to imperfectfoods.com/join and enter your zip code.
However, to give you an idea, at the moment, Imperfect Foods deliver to most of the West South Central region, Midwest, Northeast and all along the West Coast.
The company continues to expand. In fact, they expand really quickly. So, if in case they are not yet available in your area today, just wait a little while and they will eventually serve your area as well because the company is dedicated to eventually deliver groceries to all parts of the country.
HOW MUCH DOES A BOX COST?
Of course, our Imperfect Foods review will not be complete without us talking about cost.
Imperfect Foods offer two different types of boxes, which they call as follows:
- Regular Box — This includes fresh, conventional produce. The price varies depending on the food and grocery items you choose. However, it usually starts at $16.
- Organic Box — Just like anywhere else, organic food choices are quite pricey compared to the conventional ones. An Organic Box includes, obviously, organically grown food products. Again, the price varies depending on the items you choose, but, it usually starts at $24.
As mentioned earlier, all these boxes are customizable according to your needs and preferences. While you can opt to have the same items delivered on a weekly basis, you may also opt to change or remove the items that you do not need.
DOES IMPERFECT FOODS SUBSCRIPTION SAVES YOU MONEY?
As we have mentioned earlier, Imperfect Foods offer a 30% discount to its consumers. If you come to think about it, a 30% discount is already huge — especially if we are talking about fresh produce like fruits and vegetables.
Imagine, if you are someone who loves organic fruits and vegetables, you get to enjoy healthy food at a very affordable price!
WHEN TO EXPECT DELIVERY OF ITEMS?
Imperfect Foods picks a delivery date according to your zip code. By doing so, it ensures that the company delivers efficiently, at the same time, helps reduce emissions.
Customers like you are given the opportunity to choose the delivery of your items on a weekly or biweekly basis. However, Imperfect Foods starts on a weekly subscription and allows you to eventually change the frequency once you have signed up. You may do so by simply visiting the “manage subscription” page on the website.
Can customers skip a delivery?
The answer to that question is a definite yes. Imperfect Foods allows you to always skip a delivery. There’s no problem with that at all.
HOW TO ORDER? HOW TO CUSTOMIZE IT?
Just like any online subscription companies, you get to order items by simply signing up, which, as we mentioned earlier, is very simple and easy.
Once you are done signing up, Imperfect Foods, allows you to choose from two food boxes — which are the regular and the organic boxes.
Depending on your preferred frequency of items delivery, Imperfect Foods usually provides you with an automated list of food products depending on what’s available. While you may opt to go with the food suggestions, you may also customize your grocery delivery.
Customization of grocery items is very easy and simple, too. Basically, this is how it works —
Imperfect Foods lets you know what products are available for the week. Usually, the company offers 30 to 40 produce items, and on average, 160 grocery staples that customers can choose from.
Customers choose grocery items. Once your customization window opens, you may now freely add or remove items based on your needs and preferences for the week.
Once done with your choices, you can immediately process your orders by simply clicking appropriate buttons, and then, wait until your delivery date.
You see, the process is very simple and easy. Now, if you are not to keen about what items to get, or you just simply want surprises, you can always just head on to processing of orders, and wait until your box of surprises arrives.
HOW TO CANCEL THE SUBSCRIPTION?
Say for instance you no longer want to subscribe with Imperfect Foods, you can easily cancel your subscription the way how easy it was for you to sign up.
To cancel your subscription, all you have to do is follow below steps as states on Imperfect Foods website:
Step 1: Log into your account.
Step 2: Click “Manage Subscription” under the My Account menu.
Step 4: Click “Thanks for letting me know! But I’m still interested in canceling”
Step 5: Follow the prompts to let us know why you’re cancelling, rate us and give us some feedback.
Step 6: Click “Cancel Subscription”
Please note that once you have canceled your subscription, Imperfect Foods will send you a confirmation e-mail. Also, make sure to cancel your subscription within the customization window. Otherwise, items will still be delivered to your doorstep, and you will still be charged.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
To complete our Imperfect Foods review, we are sharing with you a few customer reviews. This will help you better appreciate and understand the nature of this food subscription service. All reviews were taken from Yelp.
I have relied on Imperfect Produce to deliver fruit, vegetable, and other pantry supplies to me for the last year and a half. The deliveries are mostly on time, and the produce is high quality even if cosmetically imperfect. Bonus points: not using unnecessary packaging to send the food.
– Anthony W. (San Francisco, CA)
We’re new to Imperfect Produce, signed up to avoid the grocery store during this crazy time. So far I’ve been really impressed! The produce has been really tasty, noticeably better than what we typically get at Trader Joe’s. And this last box was just loaded with beautiful looking produce! I wasn’t expecting quite the bounty. They are doing an exceptional job. I just wanted to thank you all and your delivery crew for keeping my family fed and safe.
– Stephanie M. (Canoga Park, CA)
The mission is great! My kids love their explanations on their package on why it was deemed “imperfect,” and it gets them excited to know they are helping our Earth. All their produce was fresh and their bacon was the best we’ve had.
– Maria P. (Katy, TX)
I’m dumbfounded as to why there are so many haters of Imperfect Foods. Not only is their mission a great one but, they have such great deals and prices across the board! Oh, and did you know that they deliver everything right to your doorstep? 🙂 I’ve been a “member” since early 2016 and really enjoy all of the produce and items that they offer online. In the last year they’ve added lots of other non-perishable items like: sparkling water, kombucha, etc. and it makes me happy. If you’re looking for great deals on organic and conventional produce, sightglass coffee and other awesome items, this is a great service. Plus, it’s like $30/40 bucks a week.
– Benjamin F. (San Francisco, CA)
FINAL THOUGHTS ON IMPERFECT FOODS REVIEW
In this day and age, food waste is a big no-no. With so many people around the world who are in hunger, it just does not seem to fit right wasting food while others have scarcity on it.
To be honest, we love the whole idea of ugly produce businesses like Imperfect Foods. While there is so much room for improvement, we highly commend them for stepping up and taking steps in helping address food wastage problem in the United States.
Furthermore, we love the fact that while the food produce is basically of the same food quality – expect for its imperfections – like those that make it to the grocery shelves, they are sold much cheaper. Also, since Imperfect Foods is a subscription food company, we get to be assured of our weekly supply delivered right at our doorsteps. Don’t you just find it so convenient!?
Now, having said all that, how do you find Imperfect Foods? Do you see yourself signing up anytime soon, and enjoying the benefits of eating healthy, fresh produce sans the perfection?
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