Has anyone used Imperfect foods?

[JustMe]

Has anyone used Imperfect foods? They do deliver in my area and I have seen some trucks out and about, but don't know anyone who has used them. Looks like you can pick what you want eack week (out of what they are selling) and they deliver it. It seems that things may vary geographically, but I would love to know if anyone has used them at all and what your experience was. Would also like to know how the selection of non-dairy milks and whole grains were (even though it would probably vary).

Here is their website

https://www.imperfectfoods.com/

[AnnieW625]

My sister has been using it for a few years and is very happy with it. She gets veggies and eggs (maybe cheese as well), but doesn’t drink milk so I don’t know if that is an option.


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[Zukini]

Yes, we have used them for a couple months now and are impressed with the selection, quality and pricing. Our order window closed earlier today (Saturday) and delivery is on Mondays in our area. I cannot see specific items outside of this 45 hour ordering window unfortunately so cannot speak to specifics. They offer a wide variety of conventional and organic produce, meat, dairy and pantry items, and their own private label snack foods and cheeses etc.

Yes, you can totally customize an order’s contents - they give a suggested item list based on your interests, and you may also modify your schedule, shop all available inventory, skip or add an order, etc. The website is clear and simple to use. Much like an Instacart or Shipt or your local grocery online ordering. Once your order period ends, you will be charged for what’s in your cart so the biggest thing is to edit your items before the window closes. And they do send reminders. DH and I each share a login to add items to the cart and have had no issues with syncing.

For “imperfect food” we’ve had a lot fewer misses than expected - watermelon wasn’t ripe but it’s winter, some of the mandarins were bruised but mostly edible and sweet once you removed the peels. The odd shaped sweet potatoes made us smile cause they were just so dang cute. But I could see how they would be left behind on a grocery shelf. On the other hand, they sent the most perfect broccoli I’ve seen in years, no blemishes whatsoever, we admired it before cooking it lol. Smoked salmon was delish, as was grass fed ground beef, pork, duck and chicken were great. Portions are small with meats so pay attention to weights. If you order 4lb chicken, you are probably getting 4 1-lb frozen packages. Yogurt, cheese, kombucha and orange juice all great. Added whole cows milk to my order today and was scanning for Ripple milk for a neighbor - they had a variety of other options but i can’t recall specifics.

Meats well frozen and large ice packs inserted to keep cold bags as cold as needed. Everything is delivered in sealed boxes and apart from the insulated bags, everything is kind of all together in there. It would be fine on the doorstep for an hour or two in the winter till you got to it. I did notice a good selection of plant based meats and prepared food options. Brioche bread / buns was as good as the one I get at Whole Foods. We also got oats and lentils. The dark chocolate covered pretzel pieces are positively delicious but we found lots of chocolate covered almonds in there too - probably would not be a “safe” snack brand if allergies are present.

With the weather and damage here in Texas this week, we placed our biggest order yet today and are hopeful everything will be in stock and delivered. Overall, they’ve been useful to take the pressure off snagging a spot for curbside during this Covid period.

[jgenie]

Yes, we have used them for a couple months now and are impressed with the selection, quality and pricing. Our order window closed earlier today (Saturday) and delivery is on Mondays in our area. I cannot see specific items outside of this 45 hour ordering window unfortunately so cannot speak to specifics. They offer a wide variety of conventional and organic produce, meat, dairy and pantry items, and their own private label snack foods and cheeses etc.

Yes, you can totally customize an order’s contents - they give a suggested item list based on your interests, and you may also modify your schedule, shop all available inventory, skip or add an order, etc. The website is clear and simple to use. Much like an Instacart or Shipt or your local grocery online ordering. Once your order period ends, you will be charged for what’s in your cart so the biggest thing is to edit your items before the window closes. And they do send reminders. DH and I each share a login to add items to the cart and have had no issues with syncing.

For “imperfect food” we’ve had a lot fewer misses than expected - watermelon wasn’t ripe but it’s winter, some of the mandarins were bruised but mostly edible and sweet once you removed the peels. The odd shaped sweet potatoes made us smile cause they were just so dang cute. But I could see how they would be left behind on a grocery shelf. On the other hand, they sent the most perfect broccoli I’ve seen in years, no blemishes whatsoever, we admired it before cooking it lol. Smoked salmon was delish, as was grass fed ground beef, pork, duck and chicken were great. Portions are small with meats so pay attention to weights. If you order 4lb chicken, you are probably getting 4 1-lb frozen packages. Yogurt, cheese, kombucha and orange juice all great. Added whole cows milk to my order today and was scanning for Ripple milk for a neighbor - they had a variety of other options but i can’t recall specifics.

Meats well frozen and large ice packs inserted to keep cold bags as cold as needed. Everything is delivered in sealed boxes and apart from the insulated bags, everything is kind of all together in there. It would be fine on the doorstep for an hour or two in the winter till you got to it. I did notice a good selection of plant based meats and prepared food options. Brioche bread / buns was as good as the one I get at Whole Foods. We also got oats and lentils. The dark chocolate covered pretzel pieces are positively delicious but we found lots of chocolate covered almonds in there too - probably would not be a “safe” snack brand if allergies are present.

With the weather and damage here in Texas this week, we placed our biggest order yet today and are hopeful everything will be in stock and delivered. Overall, they’ve been useful to take the pressure off snagging a spot for curbside during this Covid period.

How do their prices compare to traditional grocery stores and Whole Foods?

[basil]

I've used them. I started early in the pandemic this spring, trying to do without grocery runs as much as possible. These days I often skip weeks depending on what they have and what I buy at the store. Their produce is cheaper than my regular grocery store and definitely cheaper than Whole Foods, but maybe comparable to Costco without the giant quantities. I use them a lot for staples that I don't use massive quantities of (onions, shallots, lemons, limes, garlic, potatoes) and those are cheaper than buying at the store. Plus it is an easy way to keep them on hand without much thought. I also often buy pasta, canned tomatoes, cannellini beans, and Lacroix or Spindrift seltzer. The kids like some of the snacky stuff they offer. We usually grocery shop on the weekends and our delivery day is Wednesday, so it's an easy way to restock fruit for the week without having to stop at the store.

A lot of the imperfections I've noticed have to do with size. I.e. a lemon may be tiny or humongous and vary week to week.

There are a few issues - Sometimes they can be sloppy with packaging. Most times, things are just sort of loose in the box. My brother uses them and once got a box where two containers of blackberries had opened and were loose and squished all over everything else. And I've had a few instances where they got my order wrong - I got things I didn't order and didn't get things I was charged for. I think that happened 2-3x out of the months of orders. In case of missing items or damage, getting refunds was easy (just fill out a form online and response and refund within a few hours) but still annoying if you were counting on something and didn't get it.

[mommy111]

We did.....just wasn’t worth it, the price difference wasn’t enough to make up for the inconvenience

[jgenie]

Is there a purchase minimum per order?

[basil]

Is there a purchase minimum per order?

I don't think so? But you get free shipping if you spend $65. Otherwise it's $4.99.

[JustMe]

Thanks so much for the info. I will probably try them and see how it is. I really hate when companies don't let you look at what they are actually selling before you sign up although I guess you just can unsubscribe if it doesn't work.

Jgenie, the website says that some locations have a minimum and some do not. However, it states the minimum is only $31 to $40 when there is a minimum and it will tell you when you are signing up if there is one for your area.

[Zukini]

Pricing is definitely lower than WF for produce. Pantry items and meat items are probably closer to in-store.

Some examples copied below... note that quantity for the produce only indicates their units, so 1 unit of cucumbers might be 2 actual cucumbers and a unit of tomatoes may be 3-4 while potatoes are 1 unit = 1 lb. The website is VERY clear on what you're paying for, quantity wise. Packaged foods have exact weights.

Product / Qty /Our Price / You Saved
Conventional Cucumber 1 $1.09
Conventional Roma Tomatoes 1 $1.19 $0.73
Conventional Cilantro Bunch 1 $0.79
Conventional Jalapenos 1 $0.59 $0.14
Conventional Pears 1 $1.99
Diestel Family Ranch - Organic Sugar-Free Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast 1 $5.49 $2.50
Diestel Family Ranch Non-GMO Roast Beef Deli Meat 1 $6.99 $1.00
Imperfect Foods - Cold-Pressed 100% Orange Juice 2 $7.98
Diestel Family Ranch Non-GMO Uncured Beef Pastrami Deli Meat 1 $6.99 $1.00
Imperfect Foods - Cranberry & Orange Scones 1 $4.49
Imperfect Foods - Uncured Bacon Ends and Pieces 1 $3.99
Conventional Lemons 1 $1.29 $0.25
Conventional Cucumber 1 $0.99 $0.22
Conventional Broccoli Crowns 2 $5.58
Conventional Sweet Potatoes 2 $1.98 $0.34
Conventional Tomatoes 1 $1.69
Conventional Green Beans 1 $1.89
Conventional Avocados 1 $1.59 $2.15
Imperfect Foods - Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels 1 $2.99
Imperfect Foods - Grass-Fed 85% Lean Ground Beef 1 $6.49
Conventional Mandarins 1 $3.99
Imperfect Foods - Aged Gruyere Cheese 1 $3.99
Conventional Green Onions 3 $2.07
Conventional Leeks 1 $3.29
Organic Onions 4 $3.96 $2.24
Organic Radish Bunch 1 $2.29
Organic Leaf Lettuce 2 $5.98
Conventional Cilantro Bunch 1 $0.79
Conventional Carrots 1 $0.79 $0.59
Conventional Celery 1 $2.39
Rambler Sparkling Water 1 $2.49 $1.00
Graziers Grass-Fed European Style Unsalted Butter 1 $4.49
Capra - Gourmet Lamb Tamales 1 $7.99
Imperfect Foods - Wild Caught Mahi Mahi Fish Taco Portions 2 $11.98
Health-Ade Kombucha Pink Lady Apple 1 $3.49
Imperfect Foods - Organic Dark Chocolate Nut Pieces 2 $5.98 $6.00
Conventional Spinach Bunch 3 $5.67
Nancy's Organic Whole Milk Yogurt - Plain 1 $5.99 $0.80
Fabrique Delices Smoked Duck Breast Half 1 $12.99

[jgenie]

Zukini - thank you for posting!!

[saleenl]

Here's our list from last week. We're on the east coast and I know selection varies by region. I put in the quantities for each item as best I could from memory.

Product Qty Our Price You Saved
Conventional Broccoli Crowns 2 crowns $3.00 $0.44
Nancy's Organic Whole Milk Yogurt - Plain 32 oz $5.99 $0.80
Conventional Red Bell Peppers 2 peppers $1.99 $1.33
Conventional Green Beans 2 pounds $5.00 $2.72
Imperfect Foods - Fruit Strings 2 8oz bags $9.98 $6.00
Conventional Shallots 1 lb $1.29 $0.50
Conventional Cucumber 2 $1.75
Conventional Garlic 1 lb $1.00 $0.60
Conventional Limes 9-10 small $3.00 $1.80
Conventional Avocados 1 lb $2.35
Imperfect Foods - All Natural Smoked Chicken Sausage - Apple Gouda 1 pkg $4.99
Imperfect Foods - Apple Crisp Granola 1 bag $3.99 $1.80
Imperfect Foods - Spaghetti Pasta 2 boxes $2.98 $1.00
Organic Cilantro Bunch 1 $1.75
Conventional Green Onions Bunch 1 $1.25
Conventional Napa Cabbage 1 head $2.75 $1.83
Imperfect Foods - Lightly Salted Peanuts 16oz $1.99
Imperfect Foods - Snacky-Snack Mixy-Mix 4 bags $11.96
Taylor Farms - Caesar Chopped Salad Kit 1 $3.99 $0.50
Conventional Sliced Crimini Mushrooms 8 oz $2.50 $1.49
Organic Brussels Sprouts 1 lb $3.99 $1.70
Organic Carrots 3 lbs $3.75 $0.72
Conventional Fingerling Potatoes 1 lb $2.99 $1.00
Organic Acorn Squash 1 $3.25
Graziers Grass-Fed European Style Salted Butter 1/2 lb $4.49
Cento Cannellini Beans 1 can $0.99 $2.10
Essential Baking Co. Sourdough Take & Bake Loaf 1 $3.99 $1.00
Cento Quartered & Marinated Artichoke Hearts 1 jar $1.99
Conventional Pineapple 1 whole $2.99

[JustMe]

Thanks so much for posting actual lists!

[Myira]

Okay I don’t have any experience with imperfect foods but it sounds similar to https://www.misfitsmarket.com/ and this one is used by a couple of people I know that are vegan. Thought I’d let you know in case you wanted to check them out as well.

I’ve looked at the misfits website but haven’t yet tried them.

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[DualvansMommy]

Thanks so much for the info. I will probably try them and see how it is. I really hate when companies don't let you look at what they are actually selling before you sign up although I guess you just can unsubscribe if it doesn't work.

Jgenie, the website says that some locations have a minimum and some do not. However, it states the minimum is only $31 to $40 when there is a minimum and it will tell you when you are signing up if there is one for your area.

I haven’t used imperfect food, but have heard about it. I use misfits market. Similar concept. When you first sign up with them, you get a box without preferences, but that was for short time though. After 3 boxes from them, I got the option of picking my produce, fruit and vegs as well pantry items from the pantry. It’s been awesome!

Going on 7 months now and their customer service has been prompt and quick with couple of issues on 2 deliveries.


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[Myira]

I haven’t used imperfect food, but have heard about it. I use misfits market. Similar concept. When you first sign up with them, you get a box without preferences, but that was for short time though. After 3 boxes from them, I got the option of picking my produce, fruit and vegs as well pantry items from the pantry. It’s been awesome!

Going on 7 months now and their customer service has been prompt and quick with couple of issues on 2 deliveries.


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Thanks for the review of misfits, I was thinking of trying them after watching a couple of you tubers vlog about it.
It great to be able to pick the options, since getting something new while great when you have time on hand isn’t great when you are in a time crunch and would like to keep it simple with tried and tested recipes.


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[JustMe]

Thanks for the info about misfits, Myira! They look great. Unfortunately, they are not in my area. Good info for others, though!

[JustMe]

Ugh, it really bothers me that Imperfect foods requires me to put my credit card info in before even letting me see what they have. I was willing to set up an account, which I did, but putting in my credit card info is more than I like to do when I don't even know if I am buying something...

[carolinacool]

Ugh, it really bothers me that Imperfect foods requires me to put my credit card info in before even letting me see what they have. I was willing to set up an account, which I did, but putting in my credit card info is more than I like to do when I don't even know if I am buying something...

Yeah, I thought this was an interesting concept and clicked around on the site some last night. But I don't deal with companies that require that level of information -- or even an email address -- for me to see what they offer. Why on earth do they need your credit card number at this point?!

[jgenie]

Yeah, I thought this was an interesting concept and clicked around on the site some last night. But I don't deal with companies that require that level of information -- or even an email address -- for me to see what they offer. Why on earth do they need your credit card number at this point?!

Yes - I wasn’t happy when I saw that. I don’t need anything this week so I didn’t order yet.


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[saleenl]

My shopping window just opened up, so here are the dairy alternatives and whole grains...


Here are this week's Dairy Alternative options:

Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk
$4.49 48 oz

Minor Figures Organic Oat Milk
$2.99| 1 liter

Miyoko's Creamery Cultured Vegan Farmhouse Pepperjack Shreds
$4.99| 8 oz

Califia Farms Better Half - Unsweetened
$4.99 32 fl oz

Califia Farms Almond Creamer - Vanilla
$4.99 25.4 fl oz

Forager Project Organic Dairy-Free Cashew Yogurt - Unsweetened Plain
$4.99 24 oz

Forager Project Organic Dairy-free Cashew Milk Yogurt - Unsweetened Vanilla
$5.49 24 oz

Forager Project Organic Dairy-free Probiotic Cashew Milk Yogurt - Strawberry
$5.49 28 fl oz

Elmhurst Milked Oats - Chocolate
$2.99 12 fl oz

Malibu Mylk Organic Oat+Flax Mylk Unsweetened
$4.99 32 fl oz

Elmhurst Milked Oats - Blueberry
$2.99 12 fl oz

Califia Farms Oat Milk
$4.49 48 oz

Miyoko's Creamery Cultured Vegan Farmhouse Cheddar Shreds
$4.99 8 oz

Miyoko's Creamery Cultured Vegan Farmhouse Pepper Jack Slices
$3.99 8 oz

Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter - Hint of Sea Salt
$5.49 8 oz

Forager Project Organic Dairy-free Sour Cream
$3.49 12 oz



Here are the grains, rice and noodles:

Lundberg White Basmati Rice
$5.19 32 oz

Lundberg White Jasmine Rice
$5.29 32 oz

Imperfect Foods - Wild Rice
$4.49 16 oz

Imperfect Foods - Quick Cooking Brown Rice
$2.99 32 oz

Imperfect Foods - Penne Pasta
$1.49 16 oz

Anna Penne Rigate Pasta
$1.69 16 oz

Ferrara Penne Rigate
$1.69 16 oz

Imperfect Foods - Spaghetti Pasta
$1.49 16 oz

Anna Elbow Pasta
$1.69 16 oz

Imperfect Foods - Organic Chia Seeds
$3.99 12 oz

Imperfect Foods - Organic Farro
$2.99 16 oz

Imperfect Foods - Organic Crimson Red Lentils
$1.99 16 oz

Imperfect Foods - Organic Green Lentils
$1.99 16 oz

Imperfect Foods - Organic Royal White Quinoa
$2.99 16 oz

Anna Potato Gnocchi
$1.99 17.6oz

[citymama]

We get a delivery once a week! We've been very happy - started last April. LMK if you need a referral code.

[zukeypur]

I would love a referral code! I had not gone into HEB at all since March 6 of last year, but we were out of so many things after this storm and Randalls canceled my grocery order for this week, so I had to go in. I need a more reliable plan. We basically order the same things each week, and it looks remarkably like Zukini's list, lol. But add tortillas. Do they have tortillas? If so, what kind? We are tortilla picky. Our favorite brand is Guerrero.

[jgenie]

If anyone else has a referral code, I’ll take it. I might give this a try in the next couple of weeks.

[Zukini]

Imperfect - we got wheat flour tortillas this week: Mi Rancho. Not familiar with the brand but they’ll work for quesadillas. They probably had other options too but didn’t observe what. Imperfect has been great to keep us baseline stocked on not just produce but dairy and meats through the pandemic. Curbside spots are the new Disney fast pass around here!

Funnily enough, I did manage to snag an HEB curbside spot for same day today though. Yesterday all slots were booked through March. The curbside area was desolate when I arrived so am not sure if they’re batching times, add spots as partners pick up shift or folks just got restocked over the weekend and the rush is over.

[essnce629]

I'd love a referral code too!

[JustMe]

If the referral codes are more than 25% off, I would love one too. I got an e-mail for 25% off. Thanks!

[saleenl]

I have a $20 off your first order code. If anyone wants one, PM me.

[zukeypur]

Imperfect - we got wheat flour tortillas this week: Mi Rancho. Not familiar with the brand but they’ll work for quesadillas. They probably had other options too but didn’t observe what. Imperfect has been great to keep us baseline stocked on not just produce but dairy and meats through the pandemic. Curbside spots are the new Disney fast pass around here!

Funnily enough, I did manage to snag an HEB curbside spot for same day today though. Yesterday all slots were booked through March. The curbside area was desolate when I arrived so am not sure if they’re batching times, add spots as partners pick up shift or folks just got restocked over the weekend and the rush is over.

I've been using HEB weekly since last March, but I've had a hard time remembering to place orders lately and refuse to pay the $4.95 fee, so I've been filling the gap with Target and Randalls. I have a cart ready to go at HEB but like you, can't find a time. At one point I was able to get a time in March, but then those were all taken as well so I gave up.

How were the pears when you got them? We love pears, but they are most often destroyed by the time we get them home because of how they are bagged at Randalls. I've stopped ordering them.

[zukeypur]

Bumping for a referral code....pretty please?

[Zukini]

Bumping for a referral code....pretty please?

Just PM’d you a code.

DH actually ordered pears a few orders back, he said they tasted fine despite them being more brown than green. They felt firm. I got honeyçrisp apples for the first time this week and despite being smaller than the humongous ones at the store they are crisp and sweet. I worry about getting certain fruit bruised in delivery and curbside orders too. More hits than misses thankfully.

[essnce629]

I just signed up for our first box this week! Here's a $20 off referral code if anyone else still needs one: http://imprfct.us/v/latia_43

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[Twin Mom]

Just saw a commercial and thought of y’all. Perfect is the code for 20% off for new customers. I would imagine that $20 would be better but in case the other codes don’t work anymore.