![]() Though the ugly produce businesses have good intentions, they compete with food pantries, restaurants, and other companies that purchase surplus foods, potentially buying items that would never have become waste. Typically, surplus food is not sold to grocery stores it’s sold to restaurants, canned, and processed food companies, used to feed animals, and sometimes donated to food banks. Some critics question these claims, stating that ugly food companies are not purchasing food waste but are actually tapping into the food surplus market. These companies say that they are fighting food waste by rescuing and selling imperfect produce and items with packaging errors that would otherwise be thrown out. One of the biggest draws of ugly food delivery subscriptions is the claim that they are better for the environment. Is ugly food delivery actually better for the environment? You may be able to find uses for this kind of produce, like soups and smoothies, but it’s generally a lower quality than what you’d find at the supermarket. Affinity Sites managing editor Nate Swanner tried ordering a box from Misfits Market and found that nearly 80% of the produce was past its prime to the point of inedibility. The produce in these boxes is not just damaged cosmetically, a lot of it is too old to be sold in grocery stores. While these food subscriptions can save you time and money, you may actually be compromising on quality. Regardless of where you usually shop, there are still savings to be found using these services (especially on produce items). Items are typically less expensive than at upscale chains like Whole Foods or Wegmans. Typically, products cost about the same as their in-store counterparts that you may find at a discount grocery chain. You’ll also have to pay a delivery fee that you would not have to pay if you were shopping as usual. But is it any cheaper than shopping in-store? These services charge based on which products you purchase. Ordering your groceries online and getting them delivered to your home will certainly save you time every week. Is the food cheaper than grocery store alternatives? ![]() Cost: Boxes start at $15, delivery is free for orders over $29.99, otherwise there is a $3.49 delivery fee.Delivery area: Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Southern, New Jersey, Northern, Delware, South Florida, Greater Philadelphia, Detroit Metro Area, and Raleigh-Durham-Cary CSA & Charlotte in North Carolina.Cost: Free membership, customers pay for food and a delivery fee of $4.99-$8.99.Delivery area: Northeast, Midwest, and the West Coast.Products: Produce, fresh meat and seafood, eggs and dairy, plant-based items, pantry staples, household and beauty products.Cost: Free membership, customers pay for food and $5.50 flat shipping.Delivery area: Nearly all zip codes in 44 states and Washington D.C.Products: Organic produce, sustainable pantry items, fresh meat and seafood, other groceries.Here’s what you need to know about each service. Customers can customize their deliveries so they only receive the food they will use. Each company offers regular deliveries of fresh produce and (often) pantry staples, focusing on food that may not look as appetizing as what you’d find at the grocery store. Three of the biggest businesses in this sector are Misfits Market, Imperfect Foods, and Hungry Harvest. Since ugly food entered mainstream consciousness, many companies have jumped on the bandwagon to sell subscription boxes. ![]() But are these claims accurate? Read on to learn about some of the most popular ugly food delivery services, whether they’re cost-effective, and the ugly produce ecological impact. The businesses that sell these products claim to be fighting food waste while saving you time and money. These items are perfectly safe to eat, but many grocery stores will not stock them simply because of the way they look. “Ugly” foods are items that are misshapen, improperly sized, or have noticeable blemishes. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |