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Imperfect Foods Review — Reducing Food Waste in 2023

Emma 172 Reviews

8.7 Total Score

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Imperfect Foods is all about sending items that would otherwise go to waste because of their appearance. And that doesn’t affect their quality and freshness in any way.

Our Imperfect Foods review finds that the service works differently from conventional grocery delivery.

Let’s see what you can expect from it.

Bottom Line

Imperfect Foods is an easy-to-use grocery delivery service that reduces food waste and carbon emissions. It’s a brilliant alternative if you care for the environment.

All About Imperfect Foods

We love finding unique subscription boxes, and Imperfect Foods has made our list. The service is unconventional but in the right way. Let’s have a look.

Overview and Highlights

The service started in 2015 from a need for reducing food waste. Over 30% of the food for human consumption goes uneaten in the US, adding to the 24% of foods in landfills. 

It’s clear why the grocery delivery service started, and we’re glad that so much good food is making its way into US homes. So far, Imperfect Foods has recovered over 300 lb of food and conserved over 9,000 gallons of water.

Imperfect Foods Is Best For

The service is an excellent option if you’re concerned about where your food comes from. This Imperfect Foods box review shows that the delivered food comes directly from farms with high ethical and quality standards. 

Imperfect Foods Is Not Good For

Imperfect Foods may not be the best choice if you want the best-looking ingredients. If a strangely shaped pear puts you off, look for a different grocery service. 

What Does Imperfect Foods Offer?

Imperfect Foods is a grocery delivery service that sends you all the produce and products you need. Boxes come in small, medium, large, or extra-large sizes. Plus, you pick what goes into each box to suit your diet.

Our review of Imperfect Foods shows the service will pre-fill your cart weekly based on your preferences, but the choice of what to add or remove is entirely up to you.

Each week you’ll get a shopping window to make changes and edit your cart. Also, to save carbon emissions, your delivery day will be in line with the one for your area.

The items you receive can be a little imperfect, hence the name. For instance, they might have a different size or shape than what you’re used to seeing in the grocery store. But there’s nothing else wrong with the items.

There aren’t Imperfect Foods locations, but the service sources the items from over 200 growers and farmers across the US. Since the food usually goes to waste, Imperfect Foods purchases the products at a fair price, allowing you to save on household essentials.

Here’s where your food will come from:

• 13% wholesale
• 3% from corporate farms
• 78% from family farms
• 6% from grower representatives

Let’s have a look at the different food categories you can choose.

Produce

These are farm-fresh fruits and veggies from all over the US. Some products include:

• Avocados
• Pesto Salad Mix
• Lemons
• Sweet Potatoes

Based on our imperfect produce review, some may look slightly different from what you’re used to at the store, but the quality is great. 

Pantry

It’s not just fresh foods. You can stock up on pantry must-haves, too. Some items you can find include:

• Penne Pasta
• All-purpose seasoning
• Whole Grain Bread
• Olive Oil

You can get popular items for a fraction of the price compared to food stores. 

Eggs & Dairy

Imperfect Foods is all about responsible products, including cage-free and pasture-raised butter, eggs, and cheese. Other products you can enjoy include:

• String Cheese
• Cream Cheese
• Unsalted Butter

Our Imperfect Foods review can confirm that all these are 100% organic.  

Snacks

If you’re a true snacker, Imperfect Foods has a lot to offer you:

• Snack Mix
• Yogurt Covered Pretzels
• Nuts Covered in Chocolate
• White Cheddar Popcorn

These snacks are often mentioned in reviews on Imperfect Foods. They’re super popular among consumers, so get your hands on them while they’re in stock. 

Plant-Based

If you’re on a plant-based diet, Imperfect Foods has you covered. Here are some products you’ll find:

• Oat Milk
• Miyoko’s Cultured Vegan Butter
• Adda Veggie Protein Meal
• Vegan Cheddar Cheese

There’s a large variety, and Imperfect Foods is proud of its products for vegans and vegetarians. But if you want ready-made plant-based meals instead, we recommend checking out Sprinly benefits. 

Meat & Fish

Imperfect Foods also has options for meat and fish lovers. All the produce is grass-fed and comes from responsible suppliers that care about animal welfare. Items you’ll enjoy:

• Ground Beef
• Norwegian Smoked Salmon
• Organic Ground Turkey
• Boneslee and Skinless Chicken Breast

Our Imperfect Foods meat review finds that the top-quality meat and fish options taste great!

Wellness

Feeling good starts from within, but looking great can help, too. And Imperfect Foods has perfect health, bath, and beauty items for that. Products include:

• Body Butter
• Facial Cream
• Olive Oil Hand Cream
• Sunscreen

There are even some treats for your furry friend, like Shameless Pets dental sticks. 

How Does Imperfect Foods Works?

Now that we know what you can get from the service, let’s look at what you can expect once you sign up. 

Website Experience

The website is very easy to navigate and has all the essential information up-front to help you understand the service. 

Ordering Process

Signing up is quick and painless. All you need to do is:

• Go to the Imperfect Foods website.
• Enter your zip code.
• Select what types of products you want.
• Enter your email.
• Provide your delivery and payment information.
• Click “Complete Registration.”

Our Imperfect Foods review confirms that the process is super fast if you know what you want. 

Managing Your Subscription

Once you’re all set up, you can make changes. If you want to skip a week, simply log into your account. Plus, there are weekly and bi-weekly options to fit into your schedule. 

Cancelling is also super easy through your online profile. Since the service deals with fresh items, you can’t return them. But if you have any issues, contact Imperfect Foods. We’ll tell you how to do that shortly. 

Imperfect Foods Cost, Discounts & Options 

Each item is individually priced. 

The good news? There are no subscription fees. You only pay for what you order and shipping, which we’ll tell you about in the next section. The service authorizes your card once your shipping window closes and your final order is complete. 

The charge only goes through the day after your order arrives, and the service sends food you’ll enjoy weekly. Looking at ImperfectFoods.com reviews, you need to skip or edit your order to make final changes.

Shipping & Packaging

Since the company is all about reducing its carbon footprint, the packaging is also eco-friendly. For example, the box is made from 100% recycled fiber with non-toxic ink and glue. You can recycle the box curbside or compost it if it gets wet.

All the packaging is recyclable, returnable, or reusable. If you want to return your packaging to Imperfect Foods, look at your account page for instructions.

Are you wondering how your food gets to you safely? The service uses insulated liners and cold gel packs, keeping the products fresh.

Our Imperfect Foods review shows that delivery is available to most Midwest, West South Central regions, and along the West Coast.

Shipping will set you back between $4.99 and $8.99, depending on your area. But it’s free if your order is over $60.

Saving Opportunities 

Once you sign up, you get a referral link. If friends or family use your link, they’ll get $20 off their first four orders, and you’ll get $30 credit, so it’s a win-win for everyone. 

Imperfect Foods Customer Service

Imperfect Foods has a large FAQ section that contains all the details you might need. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can:

• Call: (510) 595-6683
• Fill in the online form

Contacting the service might be a bit of a struggle. Some complain they can’t get through easily or don’t receive the help they need. 

Imperfect Foods Reputation & Customer Satisfaction

There are hundreds of online reviews for this service. Some positive ones praise the products and Imperfect Foods. Here’s one we liked:

“We LOVE Imperfect Foods!!! This service saves me SO MUCH TIME, and our delivery crew is awesome! Product is always fresh and on time…this has been a game-changer in our house!” — KR.

Unfortunately, some negative reviews suggest the service doesn’t send the freshest products and delivery could improve. 

Imperfect Foods ratings vary quite a bit, between 2 and 4.1 stars on Trustpilot and Facebook. 

Imperfect Foods Alternatives — How Does It Compare?

Is Imperfect Foods a good option for you? Let’s compare it to some more of the best monthly food subscriptions. 

Imperfect Foods vs Misfits Market

These two offer pretty much the exact same service. You only pay for the products you select and the shipping. That’s where we can see a minor difference.

Misfits Market charges $6.99 for delivery, while Imperfect Food charges between $4.99 and $8.99. 

Alternatively, if you want to try a service with pre-measured ingredients and recipes to follow, check the HelloFresh prices. 

Imperfect Foods vs Hungry Harvest

Both services sell fresh produce from various farms and partners. 

But the Hungry Harvest box comes pre-made, so you get the freshest products in season. Plus, you try different products that you may not regularly eat.

The Hungry Harvest pricing is $15–$42, while with Imperfect Foods, the price depends on your order.

Imperfect Foods vs Thrive Market

Thrive Market works a little differently from Imperfect Foods. The service offers over 2,000 organic food and beauty products. The items are of the highest quality and aren’t “imperfect.” Plus, each order helps a family in need.

Thrive Market costs $5 a month and has free delivery. In contrast, Imperfect Foods charges between $4.99 and $8.99 for shipping.

Comparison Table 

Wrap Up — Is Imperfect Foods Worth It?

Imperfect Foods is a grocery delivery service that offers fresh produce and products straight from the farm. It’s easy and stress-free.

As the name suggests, some products are “imperfect.” They may look a little strange, but that doesn’t affect their quality. 

The service is worth it if you want farm-fresh ingredients delivered straight to your door without wondering where the food comes from.

FAQ 

How does Imperfect Foods work?

Imperfect Foods is a grocery delivery service that sends fresh products straight to your door. The company pre-fills your box each week, but you have the final say on the contents. 

Is Imperfect Foods legit?

Absolutely! Receiving foods that look a little different may sound strange, but that doesn’t affect how the business runs. It’s all legit and of the highest quality.

How much is Imperfect Foods?

Each item has its own price, so we can’t give you an estimate. It all depends on what you order. But based on our Imperfect Foods review, shipping costs between $4.99 and $8.99. Also, it’s free if your order is over $60.