Buzz
Do “ugly” produce subscription boxes really help reduce food waste and save you money compared to shopping at a discount grocery store?
What Are Ugly Produce Boxes?
The major players in the market are Imperfect Foods, Misfit Market, and Hungry Harvest, which operate similarly to meal kit services like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron. However, their focus is on delivering misshapen or imperfect produce that’s still perfectly edible.
Much like traditional subscription-based food boxes, these services deliver the items you choose (including various groceries, such as meats in some cases) to your home every week. You also have the option to skip weeks if necessary.
Do these subscription boxes truly help reduce food waste?
Each of the three boxes asserts that they use food that would otherwise go to waste. Imperfect Foods aims to ‘create a more compassionate, less wasteful world,’ Hungry Harvest claims to ‘eliminate unnecessary and avoidable food waste,’ and Misfit Markets offers ‘affordable organic produce by tackling inefficiencies within the food system.’
However, as we've highlighted before, while these subscription services do rely on second-tier produce, the same is true for food services, food banks, and discount grocery stores, all of which compete within the same market space. Ultimately, 'ugly' produce is often repurposed into products like juices, jams, baked goods, salsa, soups, or guacamole.
Food waste is undeniably a major concern, particularly driven by overproduction. This often results in a surplus of produce within a short time span, which leads to it being discarded. Moreover, the 'ugly produce' boxes represent just a small portion of the overall food market, so any positive impact these companies may have remains relatively small in terms of scale.
Are these subscription boxes less expensive than shopping at a grocery store?
The prices are similar to what you'd find at discount grocery chains, though not as low as stores like Wegmans or Whole Foods. Typically, these boxes will cost between $20–30, with an additional $5 for shipping.
Many reviews indicate that the prices are comparable to what you'd pay at a grocery store, although some items may be a little cheaper here and there (less so with pre-packaged goods). This is consistent with my comparison between Imperfect Foods and a local discount grocery chain in the area where the box was delivered:
Bag of Sweet Kale, chopped: 65 cents more expensive
Asparagus: $2 cheaper
Green pepper: Same price
One lb of red potatoes: Same price
One avocado: 11 cents cheaper
Carrots: 50 cents cheaper
One lb of ground chicken: 50 cents more expensive
Uncured turkey franks: $2 more expensive
Ultimately, the value you get will also depend on the quality of produce available in your area, so the only way to know for sure which option is more cost-effective is to give these boxes a try. Also, consider the delivery charge and the lack of ability to personally select your items, as these factors could offset any potential savings on food prices.
Final Thoughts
While the marketing may be a bit overblown, ugly produce boxes can still offer a worthwhile and budget-friendly option for those who want the convenience of having fresh produce delivered to their doorstep at an affordable rate. Interestingly, two members of the Mytour team subscribe to these boxes and have expressed satisfaction with their experience—one says it encourages them to eat more fruits and vegetables, while the other finds it helps with their weekly meal planning. So, if the cost fits within your budget, it could be worth trying. However, don't expect it to significantly reduce food waste or save you a huge amount of money in the long run.
