Interested in trying out Imperfect Foods grocery delivery? Check out my honest review, how it works, and what it costs along with an unboxing video where you can see how the products are packaged, as well as how to save $10 on your first order. (Spoiler – I love it and think you will, too!)
Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Have you heard of Imperfect Foods? The last I had heard of them they were known as Imperfect Produce, delivering only produce, and were only available in select larger cities. Recently, though, I discovered that they have grown into a larger grocery delivery subscription box service and are available in a lot more areas.
But I really got interested when I read that the boxes you get now are customizable – not just the “this is what we have” boxes I had gotten in the past from similar produce deliveries. Even though it was sometimes fun to try new produce, most of the time it was a quite a few things our family just wouldn’t eat.
So I grabbed a $10 off referral link and visited the website. Before I ordered, though, I looked around at some of the FAQs to answer some questions I had.
The first being – did they deliver in my area? I was happy to see that yes, they did – they are now in 43 states, in fact. (Note: some areas are serviced by FedEx and may have a minimum requirement for each box.)
Other questions answered on the website include how to pick the food in your box, how the food is delivered, pricing, and delivery options. I was also pleased to read about their mission to eliminate food waste and build a better food system for everyone. And that the prices average 30% lower than store bought.
How to Order From Imperfect Foods Grocery Delivery
So I signed up and ordered my first box. I do have to say I was a bit confused at first because when you sign up you are required to pick a “starter option.” This is a small, medium, large, or extra large box that will be delivered on a weekly or every-other-week schedule as you choose. You also choose organic or conventional. It made me think I was only going to get what was listed.
Don’t worry, though, you’re not locked into anything. I think there were prices listed at that point, but nothing is charged until your window for customizing your box opens. This happens a few days before your delivery – you will get an email.
And it’s at the customization stage, when you can choose to leave what they’ve chosen for your box, or take it out and add others, that I finally “got” the system.
Here’s a screenshot I took of customizing my medium size box:
On the right is where the items for your suggested box are listed and it’s easy to just scroll through and remove what you don’t want. It doesn’t matter that I chose an organic box – I can add any conventional produce I want. Again, you’re not locked into anything.
(Wondering why I sometimes choose conventional? To keep my grocery budget down, I use the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” lists, buying organic for the former but choosing conventional for the latter.)
Then you scroll through the items pictured on the left and click the “+” to add to your box. You can choose all produce or both produce and non-produce, it’s up to you. So simple, right?
Imperfect Foods Packaging
If you’ve had a chance to watch the video, you know that I’m most happy with the lack of plastic in packaging. The box I ordered this time was delivered in two cardboard boxes and the only plastic was around a head of cauliflower, a plastic box for the tomatoes, and the cheese and tortillas.
The only other packaging was a cold ice pack and the silver quilted liner for the cheese.
What to do with the packaging?
Cardboard is never hard for us to recycle, since we’re always saving it up to use in the garden, plus most recycling places still take cardboard. But what about the ice pack and lining? You may be able to reuse them for picnics or camping, but you’d only ever need one or two.
Guess what? Most of the time you can return them, boxes and packaging! If your boxes aren’t delivered by FedEx, you can leave them and the other packaging out when your next box is delivered and they’ll take it away. Isn’t that a great option?
Again, there is more on this on the website, but I was really happy to try this out and see that yes, they did just take the packaging I put out on the porch.
Types of Food & Pricing for Imperfect Foods
Pictured above is my entire order that was delivered in the two boxes as I show in the unboxing video. Keep in mind these are things I chose this time – there were lots of other produce and grocery options I didn’t choose, including more fruits, as we already had some.
Here are the produce and non-produce items included with the prices:
- Organic Celery (1 ct) $1.89
- Organic Bell Peppers (1 lb) $3.19
- Organic Carrots (1 lb) $2.18
- Organic Potatoes (1 lb) $1.58
- Organic Apples (3 ct) $1.79
- Organic Parsnips (1 lb) $2.39
- Organic Rainbow Carrot Bunch (1 ct) $2.29
- Organic Grape Tomatoes (1 ct) $3.09
- Organic Romaine Lettuce (1 ct) $2.09
- Organic Beets (1 lb) $1.75
- Conventional Onions (1 lb) $0.65
- Conventional Cauliflower (1 ct) $3.06
- Conventional Turnips (1 ct) $1.89
- Conventional Avocados (3 ct) $1.99
- Imperfect Foods – Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (8 oz) $3.49
- Mi Rancho Organic Flour Tortillas (6 ct) (10.8 oz) 1 $2.49
- Mind Fish Co. Skipjack Tuna with Spring Water (5.6 oz) 1 $1.49
- Imperfect Foods Organic Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips (14 oz) $2.99Total = $40.29 + $4.99 delivery
Note: in the video I mistakenly say it cost $43, which was actually what our first box was – this one with shipping was $45. But this is just to give you an idea of prices and cost, which I hope you can see are pretty good.
How does this fit into a tight grocery budget?
I’ve already gotten this question on YouTube, so I wanted to address it here, too. Our budget isn’t as tight now as it used to be when our kids were younger, but I remember what it was like. And I can’t answer if this would be right for you with your specific circumstances and the area you live. Some parts of the country can get cheaper produce – if this is you, it’s probably not a good fit.
But I do encourage you to at least check out the website and prices, using the $10 off your first box to try it and see if it’s something that will help you keep your budget down. I regularly shop at Grocery Outlet and the prices you see listed above are all comparable, even with the delivery fee.
As for me, if it saves me a trip to the store it will save me money because I often buy items I see on sale that aren’t on my list (this isn’t terrible, but does make the trips more expensive). I hope to use this service to keep us in produce (which is usually the reason I go to the store) and only shop once a month in a regular grocery and once every other month at Costco.
As you can probably tell, I’m pretty happy with Imperfect Foods and will continue to get boxes every other week from them as we need them. It’s very easy to skip a delivery, though, so you’re not even locked into that if you don’t need anything.
How to get $10 off your first order:
Simply CLICK HERE to go check out the website and a coupon will be applied to your account once you set it up!
Have you used Imperfect Food Delivery Service? I’d love to know what you think!
6 Month Update: We’ve been getting boxes regularly for now, and Imperfect Foods continued to deliver through the pandemic and lock downs (was I ever grateful for the deliveries then!). I wanted to mention 2 things:
- Yes, I have gotten 1 – 2 produce items that weren’t useable – beets that were too woody, even after cooking and one other I can’t remember. I didn’t bother contacting them because it’s not really a thing they would’ve been able to tell and I really do want to support the idea of less food waste and shopping responsibly.
- The customer service has been really great the one time I’ve used it (this is in contrast to one of the comments). When I was given less rhubarb than I ordered, I sent in a message on their website and was emailed the next day with a credit to my account.
- The service has gotten really popular because of the pandemic issue and I’ve learned that the sooner I customize my box the more likely they won’t be sold out of some things. I’ve put a reminder in my phone when my window opens to choose.
Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn’t change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.
Jules Jenkins says
Question then comment.
I’m only one person can I order small amounts for just a one person family?
Comment: I really appreciate your review. I’ve tried other food services and find them Packaging heavy & that bothers me, if if it’s recyclable. There’s No recycling anywhere near my rural Tx area, sadly.
Imperfections don’t bother me, waste does and that’s why I asked about smaller amounts for just a single person. I’m also on a very tight budget which is why the other companies didn’t work for me.
Thanks so much for the review. I’m gonna use the $10 coupon on a first order. 👍
Jami says
Yes, Jules, you can pick a small box – but that’s only a suggestion as when you customize you can add or delete so you get only what you need and think you’ll use! Plus, there are a lot of things that aren’t perishable (like canned tomatoes or beans) that can be added, too.
Also, you can choose to get a delivery every other week, giving you two weeks to use it up. 🙂
I do hope this works for you better than the others you’ve tried! While I might be able to save a few cents on similar products at the store, not going to the store saves me money because I always buy more than what’s on my list, lol.
Christine Billings says
I just cancelled my Imperfect Foods subscription because the fruit that I have been getting is disgusting. I received it on my front step and immediately opened it. It was still very cold from coming out of the cooler. I got a rotten nectarine, along with fruit that is so scarred the penetrated by bugs and sharp objects that I won’t eat it. I tried them for three months and it went from marginal to non-edible for any of the pieces. I’m done! I wonder if it depends on where you live. I live in Southern California where we should have beautiful fruit, but this last delivery was the straw that broke the camel’s back!
Jami says
Bummer, Christine. Yeah, I wonder if it depends on that, too. I’ve had only a few off pieces in the 7 months I’ve been with them, though nothing to make me want to cancel. Most of the produce is lovely.
Michelle says
I started ordering through imperfect in April because of two things: trying to reduce the number of grocery trips and fresh fruit and veggies were becoming scarce in my area. The stores would put it out and it became a race to get the food. I’ve ordered every week since April. So, roughly 20 boxes. I’m a massive fan! Their customer service is top notch. I had blackberries spill one time, credit within 24 hours. And I just had to message them. As far as cost goes, for my area, it’s cut my grocery bill in half. I also will only buy my chicken from them now as well. It’s delicious and healthy BUT the main factor was that I was tired of cutting off almost a pound of fat from the chicken I’d by at my grocery store. Imperfect’s chicken has minimal amounts that I cut off. I’ve ordered so many different things from them..purple cauliflower (kids loved it! We can’t get it locally), FLOUR(another sold out item locally) we’ve tried new things, got our usual favorite items..I honestly can’t say enough about Imperfect. Our first order did take about 3 weeks to process, BUT I signed up right at the beginning of quarantine. This doesn’t mean it was sitting for 3 weeks. The order was packed the morning it was delivered. My order is always delivered by an Imperfect delivery person, who always wears a mask!
Jami says
I so appreciate you leaving this good review, Michelle!! Seems like it’s only the people who have a problem who leave a comment. 🙂
I’m with you – the few things we haven’t gotten or that weren’t good have been taken care of right away.
And while I probably can get some of the things cheaper in a store, I save money because I’m not GOING to a store where I always overbuy anyway, lol. And I LOVE not having to shop as much!
Mike Simmons says
Thanks for the video, but It looks like your promotional link is no longer working… And a single box , all regular food So none of it expensive organic, now costs $55 plus shipping so 60 total. I guess I’ll just keep on going to grocery outlet. I guess they somehow got popular enough to raise the prices.I mean it’s only been 6 months since this video.
Good luck all.
Jami says
Thanks for letting me know the link wasn’t working – I’ve updated it so if you do decide to try it, you’ll get the $10 off your first box.
As far as the pricing, I’m not sure what you mean – maybe that was an example? You start with a size of box, but you can take things out or add when you customize and all the prices are on the right as in my screenshot. It is a little confusing that they have you start with a size when you can basically build whatever you want. And you can remove anything they’ve automatically added as well. You have choices for conventional and organic – you choose everything in your box. The site and choosing is all still the same as I’ve written here.
Hope that clarifies it for you!
Stacey L Parish says
I was excited to get my box but unfortunately I never received it. I saw the disclaimer that boxes may take up to 2 days longer to deliver. Well, after 4 days I contacted the company and there was no record of it ever being shipped. They said they would refund my $68.00 and it would take up to 10 business days to credit to my account. It’s been a month and I still haven’t gotten my credit. Very disappointing.
Jami says
That is disappointing, Stacey! Keep calling about that credit, though – in my experience the customer service is good and they will fix it.
David Wolf says
We really wanted Imperfect Foods to work for us, but unfortunately, they have not yet mastered delivery logistics. The first order arrived 3.5 days after it left the plant, which meant that all of the meat and fish was warm and unusable. I’m not sure how that contributes to the mission of reducing food waste, since we had to throw it out. Our second order, this week, also arrived late, rendering the meat unusable. But worse, it was the wrong meat–in fact, aside from the produce, the order was completely wrong and was missing all of the meat/pasta/cheese we ordered. Needless to say, we will not be using Imperfect Foods again. To their credit, customer service was quick and response, and I was promptly credited for the spoiled items. For a similar service and better shipping logistics, I recommend Misfits Market.
Jami says
I’m bummed to know this, David, but also surprised, because in the 6 months I’ve been ordering, delivery has been like clockwork. Which probably means it’s area-specific, so your take that they don’t have delivery mastered is probably correct.
I’ve only had one item in all that time be wrong, too.
Well, not everything is good for everyone – I appreciate you’re leaving your experience, as well as how they credited you.
Catherine Powell says
I’ve been ordering from Imperfect for about six weeks, and I am very happy with both the food and the customer service. Thanks for this article, Jami. I’m in Oregon too and look forward to following this site.
Jami says
Welcome, Catherine! I’m so glad you’re following. 🙂
Thank you for your input – I think what the company is trying to do is a good thing, so even when I got some woody, inedible beets in the last box, it didn’t bother me. It’s kind of like a garden – you win some, you lose some, but the overall picture is good!
DavidaRochelle says
AVOID these scammers at all costs. They demand you give your credit card info before they give you a price list. IMPOSSIBLE to cancel. They won’t stop harassing me with constant texts and emails. They IGNORE all customer service emails sent.
Waited on hold for 1 1/2 hours after they emailed me the WRONG delivery date. REFUSED request to CANCEL.
Though I never placed an order I was woken up by repeated texts claiming my food delivering was on its way. WTF? They even accessed my gate code which is a MAJOR PROBLEM with our gate security company.
HELP. My credit card co requires over an hour wait on hold to cancel. HELP.
DavidaRochelle says
They’re also way, way over-priced. A LOT more expensive than Whole Foods delivery.
Jami says
That’s not my experience with prices at Whole Foods, but it could be the area we live in. Like I said in the review, I think their prices are decent, and even cheaper for some of the produce.
Jami says
Wow, I’m sorry you’ve had this issue with them, that has not been my experience at all. They are by no means scammers – I know many, many people getting quality food delivered and love them. I would keep trying their customer service, it’s a chaotic time for them with the Pandemic.
J-me says
I’m thinking of signing up with them. Just out of curiosity-why do you think they are scammers?
Sunny Winters says
Seriously?Who calls customer service anymore?Just email them or chat. Of course you’re gonna be waiting hours to get somebody on the phone. How do you think This kind of company saves moneySame thing with your credit card Just go to your bank website and you can deny just about any kind of charge with the click of a mouse.
It really sounds like you’re not the type of person who should be buying things on the internet. I use the service and have never had anything slightly bad happen.
Thanks for The video!It was very informative even for someone who already knows about it.
Jami says
Glad you found it helpful, Sunny!
Jerry Davis says
This is a good article that covers the brand promise Imperfect Foods is striving for. As was mentioned by the author, your experience will vary based on where you are. I liked what I saw from this relatively young company and they earned a lot of goodwill from me during the start of the Corona virus outbreak. But…
I’ve been with Imperfect Foods for 6 months in the Austin, TX area and just decided to cancel. I started out with a delivery every week, dropped to every two weeks, and the stopped altogether. The biggest factor in my decision was the inaccuracies between orders and delivery. I had no problem getting a box on time. It’s just what was in the box didn’t match the order and I was short by about $20 each time. I had to carefully check each delivery, contact the company for a refund for items not delivered, and then verify that each refund was processed. That all became too much work. I’m OK with some substitutions but I couldn’t plan a meal with Imperfect Foods. It was like delivery people in the warehouse were just throwing whatever was laying around in a box and shipping it. If I ordered the cornish hens, I got veggie patties instead. If I ordered chicken breasts I got hot dogs instead. But I would also get a box of egg noodles I didn’t order to go with the other box of egg noodles I didn’t order from last week. I ordered six lemons and 4 were bad so I couldn’t make the sauce I wanted to make for the pork that was missing entirely from my order. It’s impossible to keep a pantry stocked with the right stuff for the meals you want to make because you really don’t know what you are going to get. Customer service was helpful in getting my bill adjusted, and they promised to do better, but after 20 weeks all the customer goodwill was exhausted. The friend that referred me to Imperfect Foods had already quit. We did two more orders and decided it was too much work. HEB Grocery, Sprouts Grocery, most of the brands fronted by Instacart, and even WalMart have figured out how to execute a stock pull and home delivery better than Imperfect Foods in my area. I’ve been testing those for 6 weeks with no issues. So I’m just going to go with them.
Jami says
That’s fair, though sorry that’s been your experience, as it hasn’t been mine.
I think since January I’ve had to contact them only 3 times for items that weren’t included and they credited my account. I’ve only gotten items I didn’t order a couple times, but I haven’t been charged for them so didn’t bother letting them know.
Rachel C. says
I’ve been getting weekly deliveries from Imperfect for the past year or so. I absolutely love it! There customer service is fantastic as well. I have received some very tired produce on a few occasions and broken eggs once. I emailed them immediately and they credited my account for the spoiled items plus a few extra $$ off my next box.
Jami says
Oh, that’s so good to know, Rachel! I was thinking that maybe in the warmer months some of the veggies might not be so great, so it’s great that they take care of that, too.