An Imperfect Produce Review + Coupon Code for You -- Plus, 5 Tips for Perfect Kale Chips!
This post has been sponsored by Imperfect Produce. All opinions here, however, are my own.
You guys! I'm so excited to have the chance to review Imperfect Produce for you this week -- I've been intrigued by their business model, and (probably like many of you...) curious about just how "imperfect" their produce is. Talk about "real food meets real life" -- Imperfect delivers farm-fresh produce straight to your door.
Read on for the full Imperfect Produce review, how it works, my tips and caveats on the service, and a bonus homemade kale chips recipe -- but if you just can't wait, sign on up and use Imperfect Produce coupon code mashup for 50% off your first box.
My Imperfect Produce Review
What is Imperfect Produce?
Imperfect Produce is a produce delivery company that sources "ugly" produce straight from farms. Their mission is to prevent perfectly good produce with cosmetic defects from going to waste because it doesn't meet grocery store standards, then delivering that produce to your door for 30-50% less than grocery store prices.
How does Imperfect Produce work?
Imperfect offers a variety of produce boxes to fit your your needs. Choose conventional or organic, all veggies or mixed fruit and veggies, and the size of box you'd prefer.
As you go through to customize your box, they'll let you know what each item's "imperfection" is, and where each type of produce originates. Defects can range from an item's size, to its shape, to outside blemishes, to discoloration, to simply a surplus of a given produce item.
How much does Imperfect Produce cost?
The price of your box will vary depending on the size of the box and the specific types of produce you choose to include each week. Here I initially chose a "medium" box, but ended up adding more produce to it and changing out some conventional for organic while customizing my delivery. (More on customization, below.) Note that there is also a $4.99 flat delivery fee per box.
You can choose how often you'd like to receive produce from Imperfect -- weekly, biweekly, monthly -- and can skip a delivery at any time. (Use Imperfect Produce coupon code mashup for 50% off your first box!)
How Imperfect is this produce, anyway?
Most of the produce I received in this first Imperfect Produce box was actually fairly perfect! A couple of the apples and the broccoli had a few little spots, but nothing unlike what I'd see at my local produce market; the potatoes ran small, but who cares; the pears were hard, but pears are always hard and that's nothing a little counter time in a paper bag didn't fix.
The organic rainbow carrots, curly green kale, onions, organic purple garlic, organic ginger, eggplant, organic leaf lettuce, and red cabbage? All pretty darn perfect! And, everything we've tasted so far has been great.
Out of this entire box, the only items I wouldn't have picked up for myself in the store were the avocados small and unripe) and one of the organic lemons (browned and a little squishy on the bottom). They're usable, but... dare I say... imperfect.
Update: You know what's interesting? Although I wouldn't have picked these avocados, after they ripened up on my counter they were some of the best I've ever had -- despite their smallness. 🙂
How fresh is this produce?
Well, my box was fresh enough that it actually sported a bee inside... Insects aside, though, everything in my box was fresh and lovely; I have no complaints about taste or quality.
Is Imperfect Produce worth it?
You're paying a bit for convenience here with that $4.99 delivery fee, but I was actually pleasantly surprised with the amount, quality, and variety of produce I received. I generally spend $30+ a week on produce anyway between a couple of different stores, and the convenience of it coming right to my door couldn't be beat. Everything here was fresh, many items were fairly local, and some of the produce in my box was organic.
My box here ended up at $24.23 -- plus that $4.99 delivery fee, for a bit over $29 delivered. Could I have found the same items slightly cheaper? Possibly, but not without going to multiple stores (including my local produce market where the apples etc. would have been equally imperfect) -- so weigh the savings in your time and gas money against the ease and convenience here.
And, if (unlike me) you generally one-stop-shop at a large national grocery chain rather than bopping around between smaller stores to save on produce, Imperfect will likely be cheaper for you.
What should you be aware of?
If you're looking into Imperfect Produce for yourself, here are just a few things to be aware of.
All the produce comes loose in one box
The only wrapped item in my box was organic ginger (which I appreciated!); the above photo shows exactly how the box looked when I opened it. While Imperfect Produce did include a handy produce storage guide, they suggested that several items (such as the kale and leaf lettuce) be refrigerated in plastic bags -- which left me scrambling around the house trying to scrounge up bags for storage. I love that there's very little waste here, but something to be aware of.
The delivery window is long
My delivery window here was 3:00-10:00 PM, and the box was delivered sometime when I was out of the house in the evening. This worked out fine, but you might end up with some wilted produce if your box sits out for hours on a hot day, or frozen produce in the winter.
Note that they do text you when your box is on the way, and again when it's delivered, so if someone is home you can be sure to bring it inside right away.
You have just two days to customize your box Update -- This has now changed!
My Imperfect delivery day is Wednesday, and Imperfect Produce emailed me the Thursday before with a reminder to customize my box.
You'll want to do this sooner rather than later, because they may run out of certain items before the customization window ends. Customization is super easy, and Imperfect keeps a running total for you so you can gauge the total cost of your box as you get carried away adding and changing out items. (Or, maybe that's just me. 😉 )
Item availability will vary by week
This is a plus if you are looking for seasonal produce, but realize that you'll need to cook around what's available, rather than choosing recipes in advance and going out to buy produce that fits those recipes.
An Imperfect Produce Coupon Code for you
Want to give Imperfect Produce a try for yourself after reading my Imperfect Produce review? Sign up here and use Imperfect Produce coupon code mashup for 50% off your first box! You can stop delivery or skip weeks at any time, so take time to settle into the schedule and box size that works for your family. (If they're not yet available in your area, you can sign up to be notified when they are!)
And, if you want some tips on how to use some of the fresh produce you'll be receiving, here's a head start with my best...
Five Tips for Perfect Kale Chips
Have you guys seen the price of pre-made kale chips in stores? It's crazy, I tell you -- especially when it's so easy to make your own kale chips at home and customize the seasonings to your own taste. IMSA Guy and I are big kale chip fans, so after much experimentation over the years, here are my top five tips for perfect kale chips:
- Dry your kale as much as possible. Moisture is the enemy of crispness, here.
- Cook your kale chips at a lower temperature. I've settled on 275 degrees as just about right.
- Spread kale out in a single layer. It's tempting to throw it all onto one pan, but spreading one bunch of kale across two pans ensures more even crispness.
- Use dark baking pans without parchment paper. This helps ensure crispness.
- Let your kale chips sit for a few minutes to crisp up even further. As tempting as these are hot out of the oven, they'll crisp up more nicely if you wait about 3 minutes before serving.
And, here's an easy homemade kale chips recipe for you!
Easy Homemade Kale Chips
Ingredients
One bunch curly green kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt, to taste
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (omit if sensitive to heat)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Directions
Preheat oven to 275 degrees and wash the kale.
Strip the kale leaves off the tough stems, tear leaves into chip-sized-pieces, and discard stems. Dry the kale leaves and spread them out across two rimmed sheet pans.
Drizzle olive oil evenly onto the kale and season with sea salt, crushed red pepper, and smoked paprika (using half of the oil and seasonings per pan). Toss to coat, massaging oil and spices into the kale with your hands.
Spread the seasoned kale out in a single layer, then bake for 22-25 minutes at 275 degrees. Rotate pans between oven racks halfway through the baking time.
Remove kale chips from the oven and let sit for about three minutes before serving.
Store any uneaten kale chips for up to three days, at room temperature in a tightly covered container.
Note: You can change up the seasonings to your own liking, but I was going for a smoky-spicy thing here today. Check for doneness at 22 minutes, and note that pans and ovens can heat unevenly -- one of my pans was done a few minutes earlier than the other today, for no apparent reason.
Easy Homemade Kale Chips, printable recipe
Easy Homemade Kale Chips
Ingredients
- One bunch curly green kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sea salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper omit if sensitive to heat
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees and wash the kale.
- Strip the kale leaves off the tough stems, tear leaves into chip-sized-pieces, and discard stems. Dry the kale leaves and spread them out across two rimmed sheet pans.
- Drizzle olive oil evenly onto the kale and season with sea salt, crushed red pepper, and smoked paprika (using half of the oil and seasonings per pan). Toss to coat, massaging oil and spices into the kale with your hands.
- Spread the seasoned kale out in a single layer, then bake for 22-25 minutes at 275 degrees. Rotate pans between oven racks halfway through the baking time.
- Remove kale chips from the oven and let sit for about three minutes before serving.
- Store any uneaten kale chips for up to three days, at room temperature in a tightly covered container.
Notes
So, who's giving Imperfect Produce a try?
Such a great way to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, and I love the idea of real food straight to your door. What do you guys think of this concept, now that you've read this whole Imperfect Produce review?
And, be sure to use Imperfect Produce coupon code mashup for 50% off your first box!
Unfortunately they don't deliver to my area yet. 🙁 I think this is great though, great for the farmers, and a great way of allowing that produce that doesn't make it to the grocery stores but is totally usable to get used instead of wasted!
I did not know that you could mix organic and conventional produce in the same order. Over on their Facebook page, several other people have reported that their avocados were too small. I have mixed feelings about imperfect produce. It is good because it is going to get people to eat more produce, and yes imperfect produce gets used up, but if anybody wants to buy imperfect produce they can also belong to a CSA or go to the farmer's market. When I went to the Evanston market on Saturday, my honeydew melon, tomatoes, eggplant and corn were all imperfect, and most grocery stores would not touch them. The problem is that imperfect produce only wants to work with larger growers, and so will not work with most local CSA's and farmers that sell at the farmer's market. The Chicago Tribune did an article about how local CSA's and smaller farmers have seen a decrease in their sales since Imperfect Produce started delivering in the Chicago area. I would post a link, but I have already used up my quota at the Tribune for the month. There was also an article about Imperfect Produce in US News and World Report recently too.
https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2018-06-29/ending-the-produce-beauty-pageant-to-curb-food-waste-hunger
Here's the link to the Tribune article. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-imperfect-produce-farmers-impact-20180823-story.html
I really liked the idea of Imperfect Produce until I read this article. And one advantage of a CSA is that it's local, which really helps in terms of carbon footprint...in other words, you won't be getting onions shipped from California.
Here's Imperfect's response to these stories: https://help.imperfectproduce.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004564574-Are-you-taking-produce-that-would-have-gone-to-food-banks-otherwise-Where-did-this-produce-go-before-Imperfect-started-
They also offer a reduced cost box for those who qualify for SNAP. https://help.imperfectproduce.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004540174-Do-you-accept-SNAP-EBT-Food-Stamps-
Does anyone know how much for someone food stamps
"Unfortunately, online food retailers like us are unable to accept SNAP/EBT/Food Stamps right now due to government red tape. While we hope this changes soon, we really care about making fresh food accessible for everyone, which is why we have implemented our own program to help those who need assistance affording fresh food. If you qualify for SNAP/EBT/Food stamps, you are eligible for a reduced cost box. You can apply for this during the signup process: Before you complete your order, click the box that says "I would like to apply for a reduced cost box." We will quickly review your application, and you'll hear from us soon on whether or not you qualify. Please contact us if you have any trouble applying!" -- If you meet the requirement for CalFresh/SNAP/EBT benefits, you get a 33% discount.
I live in the country and CSA is to far to drive to so this is great.
I wonder how they keep tomatoes from getting damaged in those boxes?
Maybe they put them on top? I didn't get tomatoes in mine because at the moment I have a ton of garden tomatoes.
I got tomatoes in a subsequent box, and they were packaged in a brown paper bag at the very top of the box and nicely undamaged.
If anybody lives in the Evanston Wilmette area. The Wilmette library is showing the documentary Wasted, in which Anthony Bourdain was the executive producer. It talks about how much food is thrown away every day, and especially in restaurants. It is being shown at 9/25 at 1:00 and again at 7:00 in the auditorium. On 9/25 at 6:30, the Evanston public library is holding a program on food insecurity. This is where people do not have the money to buy healthy food, and must rely on food banks and soup kitchens to supply them with healthy food. There are a lot of people who are not eligible for the LINK card, but do not have the money to buy healthy foods, and must figure out how they are going to eat, or they subsist on unhealthy food such as ramen noodles.
It's not available in my area yet...sad face lol. I will definately bookmark and keep trying! Thanks for the honest and well thought out review. You convinced me!
I have been using Imperfect Produce for about 2 months now. (they just started delivering to my area). We love waiting for the "fruit ninjas," so called because we get the text and POOF, there's a box, and rarely do we see it being delivered. We have loved it all. Yes, some is "ugly," as my boys call it, but we had weeks of Asian Pears, which they never had before, plus apples, grapes, romaine lettuce, fabulous red potatoes, onion....We can choose conventional or organic. Try the raisins. The story is interesting, and they are really good!!!
Those raisins are AMAZING!
Not in my area yet but I do look forward to it!
I've been using Imperfect Produce for 1.5 months and am very impressed with the produce I receive. I choose mostly organic and the cost is significantly lower that what I pay even at discount markets. On top of that the selection is really big and I love the fact that it varies. So far I've had beets, potatoes, onions, green onions, artichokes, ginger, brown rice, cabbage, tomatoes (in a clam shell), pomegranates, kiwi, broccolini, oranges, lemons, avocados and mandarin oranges. I was a little concerned that the rock-hard avocados wouldn't ripen but they did in a few days and were perfect. I highly recommend using Imperfect Produce!
I agree but with the exception of one thing.
First, let me say I've belonged to csa's in the past. The only thing that is hard for me with them, is they want one payment up front. Usually between 250 and 500. I can't come up with that kind of money at once.
There are a few CSA's that let split up the payments for you if you don't have all the money. I know Henry Brockman does, but he only comes to the Evanston market. Wrightfarms also lets you split up the payments. They come to Morton Grove, Glenview and a few other markets. You can also go to the farmer's market every week and just buy what you need that week. There are two winter markets in Evanston at the Evanston Ecology center, and at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Faith in Place is also doing a farmer's market at a church in Lombard this Sunday.
🙁 Not in my area. C'mon southwest MI!!! Sounds so great, though!
Received my first Imperfect box 📦. It was delivered exactly as planned as far as time and place. It was fun to open and see the plethora of great produce. I resisted the urge to look on the website and see what was in it and chose to be surprised. There was a nice ratio of fruits 🍎🍐🍈 to veggies 🥬🥒🍅. Kale, cucumber, onions, bell pepper, Asian pears, mango, and apple. They have so far had great flavor, are aromatic, and good state of ripeness.
Hope this Service stays consistent.
Curious... organic or conventional?
I want to know how many good reviews are organic. I would guess not as many.
I also wonder about areas. How many people in my area give good reviews.
Its either a problem with quality control or Maybe the organic produce they have located around here is no good.
I was really excited about this service when it first started. And I certainly think they have way better looking conventional produce. Also prices are better there. I'm just needing organic for my body's needs (allergies to the world and immune issues) and they were not able to provide organic fruits and veggies that weren't already garbage.
My first imperfect food delivery is on its way. Unfortunately my order didn't make it's scheduled delivery day, I blame Christmas shipping chaos, but hopefully it will get here tonight. I was able to easily get shipping refunded. Customer service said that the box has a gel cooling pack that should keep things cool for 72hrs, so the food and produce should be ok when they get here . Not sure if this is the area I live in, or if it is a recent change- but when I ordered, there was a note that if you didn't order at least $30 worth of food, the order might not be sent. Since I wanted the smallest box, and this caveat was nowhere in anything I read about the service, it was a real turn off for me. I had a coupon, so I went ahead with the order and added some other items beside produce. But I doubt it makes sense for me to continue with the subscription.
I was excited hearing about this and that they offer Vegan & Vegetarian.
Then I saw if you receive EBT/SNAP Benefits, apply and it's another 33% off.
I'm ecstatic!
Just sent them a pic of my card. Detroit here, I know a dozen others who will benefit from this service too. All of us receive SSDI.
Can not wait to share!
The Feds, DHHS, and USDA have let people like us way down. We paid into the system. My neighbor took 10 years for a MS diagnosis. DHHS keeps cutting her benefits, no reason. She was a Nurse. Now she can't afford to run her Heat above 60 during the day, turns it OFF at night.
We are in Detroit here. They have failed us. So super excited to find out about this! You'd think our "Case workers" would have told us. Ha! Now I'm telling everyone locally.
I am contemplating this service to improve our veggie/fruit intake for our household of four. But I am going to go over my receipts for a month or so, I really don't think we have ever spent $30.00 a week on produce!
This sounds expensive to me. But then again, if it is more fresh than what we see in the supermarket, it might be worth trying it.
It will not be more fresh! It will be the opposite and not at a discount.
Its not a good deal. I'm on disability. Your discount covers the delivery fee.
I have health issues that require I go organic. The organic options are not any cheaper than the store... they are just way way worse quality.
So you don't get a choice of what type of onion or potato and it will be bad quality, not just ugly.
Why would a case worker who want to help tell you about that?!
I ordered a couple boxes when they first came to my area, but ended up canceling soon. Including the delivery fee, the produce was priced higher than I'd get it locally. Things got banged up riding loose in those boxes. And that was in summer. In winter here in Wisconsin, most produce would be ruined if it sat a few hours on an unprotected porch.
Also, as a home gardener, in summer I was already growing a lot of things on their list. So my boxes were on the slim side, which means the delivery fee didn't get spread out as well as I would have hoped.
The company was helpful and responsive, though, especially the driver. The selection process was fun, though choices were limited. I think this company might be just the thing for some people who live in a more temperate climate and aren't interested in growing their own food.
Do not order from this Company!!!! had to cancel our subscription,they have HORRIBLE service!! Tried ordering my 80 year old mother a box! 2 weeks later I get an EMAIL saying order was skipped! thanks for providing food to a shut in 80 year old woman during this horrible Pandemic!!
I'm 81, have ordered from Imperfect Foods for over a year. Lovve it! Only twice has my order been delayed. Like Shipt and InstaCart, they scrambled to hire enough employees to fill and deliver orders when the pandemic first had people sheltering at home. Even then, delivery was ony delayed
twice and they sent emais telling of the delay. Their customer service has been wonderful, quick to respond to questions or compaints even following up to make sure everything was resolved to my satisfaction. Even their delivery drivers are helpful.
Imperfect Foods (previously Imperfect Produce) is either paying people for good reviews or they are sending special boxes to reviewers for people to be giving good reviews to them on organic produce....
I've been a customer for 2 or 3 years. Its been a long time. Since they started. Since they changed the name and branched out from fruit and veggies.
I'm an organic customer for fruits and veggies, so that might make a difference. 9 times our of 10 what they send me is not ugly it is garbage. It is over ripe or was grown improperly so it is chrophyll deprived and your brussels sprouts are yellows spotted and the size of peas. Thats worse than ugly, thats inedible garbage. Slimy broccoli and mushy moldy mandarins, woody dried out asparagus and somehow even moldy potatoes with millions of eyes. Maybe some areas have better quality control or better produce being donated. But here, the prices charged for organic fruits and veggies from this company is on par with the grocery store. Its not saving. So you spend the same plus a delivery fee and you end up with garbage you paid to throw away.
My last email to them, word for word,
"To keep customers...Maybe send the things that are on my auto order regardless of how many times your rediculous delivery person destroyed things. I know for a fact they thew the box up the last 3 stairs of my stairway and did not place it on the ground. They dont come up the stairs far enough to knock or even ring the doorbell. I've specifically asked multiple times. And after complaining about crushed eggs 2x in a row, I stop getting eggs in my box FOREVER.
I CONSTANTLY get sent vegetables and produce that are way past the point of ripe. The stuff I am sent is not ugly, it is rotten. The prices I am charged are not that different and are certainly not discounted enough to warrant getting a BOX of food that expires TODAY or worse, yesterday or last week.
I'm disabled and on food stamps. I have to ask for help getting pounds of garbage that ImperfectFoods has delivered, to the garbage. This is like charging me to throw shit away. Its criminal. And I think its time to start spreading the word. I told so many people how cool you were wheb you started but you aren't. You just charge me for garbage."