The world of grocery shopping has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with the rise of online shopping and meal kit delivery services. However, one of the most interesting trends to emerge is the concept of “ugly produce” or “imperfect foods.” These services aim to reduce food waste by delivering misshapen or cosmetically imperfect fruits and vegetables to customers’ doors. Two of the most popular services in this space are Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market. But which one is cheaper?
Understanding Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market
Before we dive into the pricing comparison, let’s take a closer look at what each service offers.
Imperfect Foods
Imperfect Foods is a San Francisco-based company that was founded in 2015. The service aims to reduce food waste by sourcing imperfect produce from farms and delivering it to customers’ doors. Imperfect Foods offers a range of products, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat. Customers can choose from a variety of subscription plans, including a weekly or bi-weekly delivery of a small, medium, or large box.
Misfits Market
Misfits Market is a Philadelphia-based company that was founded in 2018. Like Imperfect Foods, Misfits Market sources imperfect produce from farms and delivers it to customers’ doors. However, Misfits Market focuses primarily on produce, offering a range of fruits and vegetables. Customers can choose from a variety of subscription plans, including a weekly or bi-weekly delivery of a small, medium, or large box.
Pricing Comparison
So, which service is cheaper? Let’s take a closer look at the pricing plans offered by Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market.
Imperfect Foods Pricing
Imperfect Foods offers a range of pricing plans, including:
- Small box (7-9 lbs of produce): $11-$13 per week
- Medium box (12-14 lbs of produce): $17-$20 per week
- Large box (18-20 lbs of produce): $23-$27 per week
Misfits Market Pricing
Misfits Market also offers a range of pricing plans, including:
- Small box (10-12 lbs of produce): $15-$18 per week
- Medium box (18-20 lbs of produce): $25-$30 per week
- Large box (25-30 lbs of produce): $35-$40 per week
As you can see, Imperfect Foods is generally cheaper than Misfits Market, especially for smaller boxes. However, it’s worth noting that Misfits Market offers more flexibility in terms of customization, allowing customers to choose from a wider range of produce options.
Customization Options
One of the key differences between Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market is the level of customization offered. Imperfect Foods allows customers to choose from a limited range of produce options, while Misfits Market offers a much wider range of choices.
Imperfect Foods Customization
Imperfect Foods allows customers to choose from a limited range of produce options, including:
- Fruits: apples, bananas, oranges, etc.
- Vegetables: carrots, broccoli, spinach, etc.
- Dairy products: milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
- Meat: chicken, beef, pork, etc.
Customers can also choose to exclude certain products from their box, such as gluten or dairy.
Misfits Market Customization
Misfits Market offers a much wider range of customization options, including:
- Fruits: over 20 options, including apples, bananas, oranges, etc.
- Vegetables: over 30 options, including carrots, broccoli, spinach, etc.
- Organic options: customers can choose to include organic produce in their box
- Specialty items: customers can choose to include specialty items, such as mushrooms or microgreens
Customers can also choose to exclude certain products from their box, such as gluten or dairy.
Delivery Options
Both Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market offer flexible delivery options, allowing customers to choose from a range of delivery schedules.
Imperfect Foods Delivery
Imperfect Foods offers delivery to a wide range of areas, including:
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
Customers can choose from a range of delivery schedules, including:
- Weekly delivery
- Bi-weekly delivery
- Monthly delivery
Misfits Market Delivery
Misfits Market also offers delivery to a wide range of areas, including:
- Philadelphia
- New York City
- Boston
- Washington D.C.
- Chicago
Customers can choose from a range of delivery schedules, including:
- Weekly delivery
- Bi-weekly delivery
- Monthly delivery
Conclusion
In conclusion, Imperfect Foods is generally cheaper than Misfits Market, especially for smaller boxes. However, Misfits Market offers more flexibility in terms of customization, allowing customers to choose from a wider range of produce options. Ultimately, the choice between Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option with a limited range of customization options, Imperfect Foods may be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a service that offers more flexibility and a wider range of produce options, Misfits Market may be the better choice.
Regardless of which service you choose, you can be sure that you’re helping to reduce food waste and support sustainable agriculture.
What is Imperfect Foods and how does it work?
Imperfect Foods is a subscription-based service that delivers “ugly” or “imperfect” produce directly to customers’ doors. The company sources its produce from local farmers who would otherwise discard it due to cosmetic imperfections. Customers can choose from a variety of subscription plans, including organic and conventional options, and can customize their boxes based on their dietary preferences and needs.
Imperfect Foods aims to reduce food waste by giving a second chance to produce that would otherwise be discarded. By sourcing produce directly from farmers, the company is able to offer competitive pricing and help customers save money on their grocery bills. Additionally, Imperfect Foods provides customers with recipes and cooking tips to help them make the most of their imperfect produce.
What is Misfits Market and how does it work?
Misfits Market is another subscription-based service that delivers “ugly” produce to customers’ doors. Similar to Imperfect Foods, Misfits Market sources its produce from local farmers who would otherwise discard it due to cosmetic imperfections. Customers can choose from a variety of subscription plans, including organic and conventional options, and can customize their boxes based on their dietary preferences and needs.
Misfits Market also aims to reduce food waste by giving a second chance to produce that would otherwise be discarded. The company offers competitive pricing and helps customers save money on their grocery bills. Additionally, Misfits Market provides customers with recipes and cooking tips to help them make the most of their imperfect produce. Misfits Market also offers a wider selection of products, including meat, dairy, and pantry staples.
How do Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market compare in terms of pricing?
Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market offer competitive pricing, but the costs can vary depending on the subscription plan and the location. Imperfect Foods offers a variety of subscription plans, including a small box for $11.99, a medium box for $17.99, and a large box for $23.99. Misfits Market also offers a variety of subscription plans, including a small box for $22, a medium box for $30, and a large box for $40.
However, it’s worth noting that Misfits Market offers more flexibility in terms of customization, which can affect the pricing. Additionally, Misfits Market offers a wider selection of products, including meat, dairy, and pantry staples, which can also impact the pricing. Overall, both services offer competitive pricing, but customers should compare the costs based on their individual needs and preferences.
What types of produce can I expect to receive from Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market?
Both Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market offer a wide variety of produce, including fruits and vegetables. The types of produce can vary depending on the season and the location, but customers can expect to receive a mix of conventional and organic options. Imperfect Foods sources its produce from local farmers, so the selection can vary depending on the region.
Misfits Market also sources its produce from local farmers, but it offers a wider selection of products, including meat, dairy, and pantry staples. Customers can expect to receive a mix of conventional and organic options, including fruits, vegetables, and other grocery items. Both services provide customers with recipes and cooking tips to help them make the most of their imperfect produce.
Can I customize my subscription with Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market?
Yes, both Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market offer customization options for their subscriptions. Imperfect Foods allows customers to choose from a variety of subscription plans, including organic and conventional options, and can customize their boxes based on their dietary preferences and needs. Customers can also pause or skip their subscriptions at any time.
Misfits Market also offers customization options, including the ability to choose from a variety of subscription plans and customize boxes based on dietary preferences and needs. Additionally, Misfits Market offers a wider selection of products, including meat, dairy, and pantry staples, which can be added to the subscription box. Customers can also pause or skip their subscriptions at any time.
How do Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market handle delivery and customer service?
Both Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market offer convenient delivery options, including doorstep delivery and flexible scheduling. Imperfect Foods offers delivery in several states, including California, Oregon, and Washington, and is expanding its delivery area. Misfits Market also offers delivery in several states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, and is expanding its delivery area.
Both services also offer customer service support, including email and phone support. Imperfect Foods has a comprehensive FAQ section on its website, and customers can also contact the company through social media. Misfits Market also has a comprehensive FAQ section on its website, and customers can contact the company through email or phone.
Which service is better for me, Imperfect Foods or Misfits Market?
The choice between Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a more affordable option with a focus on produce, Imperfect Foods may be the better choice. If you’re looking for a service that offers a wider selection of products, including meat, dairy, and pantry staples, Misfits Market may be the better choice.
Ultimately, both services offer competitive pricing and aim to reduce food waste by giving a second chance to produce that would otherwise be discarded. Customers should compare the costs and services based on their individual needs and preferences to determine which service is best for them.