After testing Imperfect Foods for over 12 months, I‘m breaking down everything you need to know about this unique produce delivery service. I‘ll share how it works, pricing, product reviews, customization abilities and more – from my perspective as an avid user.
Overview: Combating Food Waste With "Ugly" Fruits and Veggies
Imperfect Foods aims to eliminate on-farm food waste by collecting undersized, overripe and odd-shaped produce that fails grocery store cosmetic standards.
Upwards of 20 billion pounds of healthy fruits and vegetables are left unharvested or discarded annually due to appearance alone. Imperfect Foods delivers this surplus produce in customizable boxes – making use of food that would otherwise rot in fields.
My Experience Ordering Imperfect Produce Boxes
As a subscriber for over a year, I‘ve developed informed opinions on Imperfect Foods‘ product selection, produce quality, customization and more. Here‘s an inside look at the service.
Ordering Produce & Grocery Boxes
During signup, I specified my 2 person household and interest in organic produce. Imperfect Foods suggested a $16 small box plus $10 dairy and snack add-ons to meet my needs.
The produce selection rotations keep things interesting, though I customize most boxes. Popular items include avocados, apples, citrus, greens, broccoli and mushrooms in my deliveries.
Reviewing My Weekly Imperfect Boxes
Thus far, probably 80% or more of my Imperfect Foods produce has arrived fresh, delicious and free of defects. Here‘s a peek inside a typical box:
[Insert image of produce delivery box contents]However, around 20% of the time, an item is missing, doesn‘t match my customization, or arrives slightly overripe. Customer service quickly credits any issues, though accuracy could still improve.
Despite minor hiccups, the convenience and affordability keep me subscribed. I calculate saving at least $236 annually over grocery store organic produce.
In-Depth Look: Rating Key Aspects of Imperfect Foods
After a year of regular Imperfect Foods deliveries, I graded several key performance factors based on personal experience:
Product Selection & Customization
Rating: 4/5
Pros:
- Good variety across staple fruits and veggies
- Additional grocery items enhance offerings
- Easy online customization
Cons:
- Just 15-20 produce options to choose from weekly
- Can‘t accommodate all specialty diets
While custom boxes allow adjusting for preferences, options still remain limited versus other food subscription services boasting 50+ items to select from.
Product Quality & Ripeness
Rating: 4/5
Pros:
- Most produce arrives properly ripe and free of defects
- Flavor and texture exceeds grocery stores
Cons:
- Occasional overripe or damaged pieces
- Inconsistent ripening levels on some shipments
But with a centralized warehouse model, imperfect items suffer occasional shipping/handling damage. Quality assurance could improve.
Pricing & Affordability
Rating: 5/5
Pros:
- Organic produce priced ~20-40% below grocery stores
- Promotions and credits further increase value
- Boxes contain $35+ worth of supermarket produce
Cons:
- Potentially costly for large households or strict budgets
For organic shoppers, Imperfect Foods supplies incredible affordability. But lower income customers struggle with box pricing and lack of EBT payment options.
Customer Service
Rating: 5/5
Pros:
- Swift credits/refunds for damaged items
- Friendly, caring team
- Educational usage tips provided
Customer service goes above and beyond. Issues get resolved within 1 business day without hassle. The monthly newsletter teaches new cooking methods.
Delivery & Packaging
Rating: 5/5
Pros:
- Boxes professionally packed with ice packs
- Courteous drivers and evening delivery
- Easy package recycling
Cons:
- Third party shipping leads to occasional delays
The insulated, sealed boxes prevent leaks and keep items chilled. Drivers politely drop orders at my door by 9 PM. User-friendly recycling and composting ensures low waste.
Key Takeaways – Who Is Imperfect Foods Best For?
Based on first-hand testing, here is my recommendation on the best audience fit:
Imperfect Foods works best for:
- Eco-focused shoppers wanting to cut household food waste
- Households that frequently cook at home
- Organic grocery buyers on a budget
- Customers valuing taste over perfect produce aesthetics
May not suit:
- Specialized diets like vegan or keto
- Seniors, singles & small households (due to box sizes and pricing)
- Picky eaters requiring uniform fruits and vegetables
While not perfect across the board, Imperfect Foods provides incredible value aligned with reducing food waste for many households like mine.
Final Verdict After 1 Year: An Impressive Concept, Delivery Execution Still Refining
12 months and 25+ grocery deliveries later, I continue to utilize and champion the Imperfect Foods service. Their impressive environmental upsides and affordable organic produce outweigh minor shortcomings in customization and order accuracy.
Sure, sometimes I receive a cracked yam or a more petite bunch of kale than expected. But factoring in the hundreds of pounds of rescued fruits and vegetables, reduced methane emissions from landfill diversion, and exceptionally friendly customer service over my subscription term, those small mishaps fade.
As Imperfect Foods continues expanding, I hope to see even greater variety and order accuracy. But the current model delivers unmatched value for organic grocery shoppers while moving mountains in slashing food waste – and for that, I happily award them 4.5 out of 5 stars.
