How I’m Reducing Food Waste

My first Imperfect Produce Delivery

More than 20% of the fruits and vegetables grown in America never make it off the farm because they aren’t perfect enough for grocery store standards. This results in billions of pounds of wasted produce every year. We’re talking about produce that is just as nutritious and delicious but looks a little different.

Now, a new company is doing something about this! Imperfect Produce partners with farmers to divert this produce to your table at 30-50% off. Their subscription produce box is affordable, convenient, customizable, healthy, and delicious. They offer an organic or conventional box in various sizes. You can select fruit, veggies and even some fun add-on items like imperfect coffee!

This was just with my first order!

Imperfect Produce delivers to the entire San Francisco Bay Area; Los Angeles, CA; Orange County, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; and Chicago, IL. More zip codes are being added, so check back frequently to see if they are in your area or get on their email list for updates.

How it works is five days prior to delivery, you are emailed a draft list of what they can send to you this week. You then have 33 hours to modify that shopping list. Swap the red grapes for a pomegranate, or pick enough ingredients to make some of your favorite recipes. You can buy more or less than the original “draft shopping list.”

They inform you where the item is from and why it is offered this week. Sometimes the farmer has a surplus or there are some irregularities.

You can sort your shopping list by organic, conventional, fruit and veggies. Information is provided on where the produce is coming from. I was able to get organic Broccoli from my hometown of Salinas, California!

Delivery happens about three days later in a time slot you select. You can notify them about special delivery instructions, such as “leave on porch” or “give to attendant at the front desk.” They even text you a few minutes prior to the delivery.

You’re probably wondering how imperfect is this produce? Here is a photo of my first delivery. I’m including my list and prices, for you to get a full idea of what they offer. I received 11 pounds of produce in one box. It was cool as if it just left the refrigerator.

My first delivery

My cart at check-out

There is a $4.99 delivery fee that is added to your bill, but how nice they do all the picking, boxing and delivery for that price.

Click here for more details and to get $10 off if you subscribe. I also will get a $10 credit if you use this link. 

So here’s to a creative solution for food that would never make it to market. I’m having fun trying it out…let’s see, what will I order for next week?