My Honest Misfits Market Review: I Tried the Ugly Produce Delivery Service to See if It‘s Really Worth It

Hey there! Jenn here. As a budding fashionista and wellness junkie, I‘m always on the lookout for ways to look and feel my best while saving money and doing good for the planet. So when I heard about Misfits Market, a subscription service that delivers "ugly" organic produce to your door at a steep discount, I was intrigued.

I‘ve been a Misfits customer for 6 months now, and I‘m excited to share my honest review with you. I‘ll cover how it works, the pros and cons, and compare it to similar services so you can decide if it‘s right for you. I‘ll also share some tips I‘ve learned for making the most of your subscription. Let‘s get into it!

What Is Misfits Market?

First, a quick overview for anyone not familiar. Misfits Market is an online subscription that delivers a box of organic fruits and vegetables to your door on a weekly or biweekly basis. The produce is certified organic but deemed too "ugly" to sell in grocery stores due to irregular size, shape, or superficial blemishes.

By sourcing this misfit produce directly from farms and delivering it to customers, Misfits aims to reduce the billions of pounds of fruits and veggies that go to waste every year simply because they don‘t meet the strict cosmetic standards of grocery stores. Not only does this help farmers get more money for their crops and prevent waste, but it also allows Misfits to sell the produce for up to 40% less than retail prices.

How much food are we talking? According to the USDA, 30-40% of the food supply in the United States is wasted. That amounts to about 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food thrown away each year! Globally, the UN estimates that 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted annually. Fruits and vegetables have the highest wastage rates of any food.

By some estimates, if we could recover all the produce that gets tossed just for looking a little funky, it would be enough to feed 2 billion people! Talk about a huge opportunity to make an impact. That‘s why I love supporting companies like Misfits who are finding innovative solutions to this problem.

How Misfits Market Works

The sign-up process is super simple. Here‘s how it works:

1. Choose your box size and type. Misfits offers two options:

   • The smaller "Mischief" box contains 12-14 lbs of produce and feeds 1-2 people for a week. It starts at $22.
   • The larger "Madness" box contains 18-20 lbs of produce and feeds 3-5 people for a week. It starts at $35.

2. Select your delivery frequency and day. You can choose weekly or biweekly delivery on your preferred day of the week (Monday-Friday). Misfits currently delivers to 26 states and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand.

3. Customize your box. A few days before your scheduled delivery day, you‘ll receive an email prompting you to sign in and customize your order from the available seasonal selection. Don‘t want beets this week? Swap them for extra carrots! Need a last-minute addition? Toss in some organic apples! This level of flexibility is a huge plus.

Along with produce, you can also add discounted pantry staples, dairy, meat, seafood, and other grocery items to your box. Misfits partners with sustainable brands to offer things like organic coffee, olive oil, oatmeal, and even eco-friendly cleaning products for less.

4. Unbox and enjoy! Your goodies will arrive on your doorstep in 1-2 days, packed in a recyclable cardboard box with compostable plant-based insulation to keep things fresh. Misfits has taken care to minimize packaging waste, which I appreciate.

My Experience With Misfits Market

I first signed up for Misfits on a whim, not expecting much in terms of quality. I imagined shriveled peppers, bruised apples, and limp greens. Boy, was I proven wrong!

When I unboxed my first Mischief, I was blown away by how fresh and beautiful everything looked. Sure, the produce had some quirks – curvy carrots, bumpy squash, and little scratches here and there. But there was nothing I wouldn‘t happily pick out myself at the farmers market.

Over the last 6 months, I‘ve consistently been impressed by what shows up at my door. The fruit is always perfectly ripe and the veggies last a long time in the fridge. I‘ve discovered some new favorites, like watermelon radishes and rainbow chard. And I love the anticipation of seeing what surprise goodies will be in each box.

Flavor-wise, the Misfits produce is top-notch – as good or better than what I used to get at Whole Foods. I‘ve made some truly incredible meals, if I do say so myself. (Check my Insta for mouthwatering pics!)

The value is unbeatable, too. I did the math and estimate I‘m saving about $25 per week compared to buying the same organic haul at my local grocery store. That adds up to over $1,200 per year! And that‘s not even factoring in the time and gas money I‘m saving by not making extra trips to the store.

For me, the biggest benefit has been the way Misfits has upped my fruit and veggie intake. I‘ve always known I should be eating more produce, but it felt like such a chore to constantly stock up at the store. With Misfits, I have zero excuses – the bounty is right there waiting for me. My skin is glowing, my energy is up, and I feel great knowing I‘m nourishing my body.

The other unexpected perk? Misfits has made me a more creative and adventurous cook. Before, I was stuck in a rut of buying the same staples week after week. Now, I look forward to the challenge of figuring out tasty ways to use whatever shows up at my door. Kohlrabi fritters, anyone?

What I Don‘t Love About Misfits Market

No Misfits Market review would be complete without covering the downsides. Luckily, I don‘t have too many complaints, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Customization options can be limited. Some weeks, there are only a handful of items to swap, so you might end up with things you don‘t love. But Misfits is continuously expanding the choices.

• You may get spoiled items occasionally. A few times, I‘ve received produce that goes bad faster than I expect due to the "ugliness" factor. Misfits has a decent refund policy if anything is actually spoiled or damaged, though.

• It‘s not always the cheapest option. While Misfits is a great deal compared to Whole Foods, it may be more expensive than shopping sales or buying non-organic produce elsewhere. The $5.50 delivery fee (waived on your first order) adds to the total, too.

• You have to be comfortable with some spontaneity. Unlike shopping at the store, you can‘t necessarily predict or control what you‘ll get each week. If you have picky eaters or super specific meal plans, it might be tricky.

• Ugly produce doesn‘t mean local. The offerings will vary based on season and region, but Misfits doesn‘t emphasize local sourcing like some other services do. If that‘s a priority for you, it‘s something to consider.

None of these cons are deal breakers for me, but they‘re good to be aware of before you sign up. On the whole, the pros far outweigh the cons.

How Misfits Market Compares to Other Ugly Produce Delivery Services

Misfits Market isn‘t the only "ugly" produce delivery game in town. Its main competitors are Imperfect Foods and Hungry Harvest. So how do they stack up?

Price: Misfits Market has a lower starting price point at $22 for their smaller box compared to $24 for Imperfect and $28 for Hungry Harvest. However, Imperfect and Hungry Harvest waive the delivery fee on larger orders, while Misfits charges $5.50 per delivery.

Selection: In my experience, Misfits Market offers the widest variety and most consistent quality week-to-week. Imperfect is a close second, while Hungry Harvest is more hit-or-miss in terms of selection, customization, and portion sizes.

Sourcing: All three companies rescue ugly and surplus produce that would otherwise go to waste. But Misfits Market stands out for its commitment to 100% organic and non-GMO produce, while the other two offer a mix of conventional and organic.

Packaging: Misfits Market and Hungry Harvest use more eco-friendly packaging materials, including recyclable boxes and compostable insulation. Imperfect Foods still uses some Styrofoam and plastic.

Availability: Misfits Market currently delivers to the most states (26), followed by Imperfect Foods (25) and Hungry Harvest (13). But all three are rapidly expanding, so this may change.

Customization: Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods allow you to customize your box contents before each delivery. Hungry Harvest only offers this on a limited basis.

Giveback: For every box sold, Misfits Market donates a portion to anti-hunger organizations. Hungry Harvest partners with local food banks and non-profits. Imperfect Foods doesn‘t have a formal giveback program.

Overall, Misfits Market is very competitive with (and in some ways, beats out) the other ugly produce services. Of course, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and location. But if organic produce, generous portions, and customization are a priority, Misfits is a solid bet.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Misfits Market Subscription

To wrap things up, I want to share some tips I‘ve learned for getting the most out of your Misfits Market subscription:

1. Customize early. Set a reminder to log in as soon as you get the customization email so you have your pick of the best stuff before it sells out. The most popular items go fast!

2. Be flexible. Half the fun of Misfits is trying new things. Embrace the surprise and look up recipes for any unfamiliar foods. You might discover a new favorite dish.

3. Have a surplus strategy. If you can‘t eat everything in your box before it spoils, have a plan for preserving it. Freeze, can, or make soups or sauces to extend the life of your haul.

4. Store strategically. To keep your produce fresh as long as possible, make sure you‘re storing each item under the right conditions. Misfits includes a handy storage guide with every box.

5. Get social. Follow Misfits on Instagram and Facebook for recipe ideas, storage tips, and to connect with other ugly produce lovers. Share your own box pics with the hashtag #misfitsmarket.

6. Refer friends. For every pal who signs up with your referral link, you‘ll both get a $10 credit. It‘s a win-win!

7. Recycle and compost. The Misfits box, insulation, and any spoiled bits can go right in your curbside recycling or compost bin. Love that zero waste life!

8. Pause or cancel anytime. Going out of town? Not vibing with the offerings? No worries. You can skip any delivery or cancel your subscription at any point before the weekly cutoff with no hassle.

The Final Verdict: Is Misfits Market Worth It?

So, is Misfits Market really worth it? Obviously, it depends on your individual circumstances and preferences. But for me, the answer is a resounding yes!

Misfits has made it truly effortless and affordable to eat more organic fruits and veggies. I‘m spending less money and time on grocery shopping while seriously upgrading the quality and variety of produce in my diet. The convenience factor can‘t be beat, and I love knowing I‘m helping to fight food waste and support small farmers with every box.

Sure, there may be a few bruised apples or wonky carrots along the way. But that‘s a small tradeoff for the cost savings, superior flavor, and feel-good vibes I get from Misfits Market. I‘ve happily recommended it to all my health-conscious, budget-savvy, Earth-loving friends and fam.

If you‘re looking to save money, simplify your shopping routine, and add more organic produce to your plate, I highly suggest giving Misfits Market a go. With the ability to customize your box and cancel anytime, you have nothing to lose (except maybe a few ugly veggies).

Use my link to get 25% off your first box and see for yourself why this produce delivery service has earned a permanent spot in my kitchen and my heart. Viva la ugly food revolution!

Questions? Thoughts? Horror stories? Share ‘em in the comments!

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FAQs

How much does Misfits Market cost?

• Mischief Box: Starts at $22 and feeds 1-2 people for a week
• Madness Box: Starts at $35 and feeds 3-5 people for a week
• Delivery fee: $5.50

What states does Misfits Market deliver to?
Currently, Misfits delivers to 26 states and Washington, D.C.: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, ME, MD, NJ, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, WA, WV, VA, VT, NC, SC, MA, and parts of NY. Check their website to see if they deliver to your zip code.

How do I customize my Misfits Market box?
A few days before your delivery date, you‘ll get an email inviting you to customize your box on the Misfits website or app. You can swap out items you don‘t want and add in bonus goodies from the Marketplace. But act fast – popular items go quickly!

Can I choose what goes in my Misfits box?
Yes and no. You can customize your box to an extent based on what‘s available and in-season that week. But you can‘t build a completely custom box from scratch or order specific quantities of individual items. Part of the Misfits model is embracing a little spontaneity!

Does Misfits offer any discounts?
Misfits Market frequently runs seasonal promotions and coupon codes for new customers. First-time orders always get free shipping. You can also save $10 off your first box when you sign up with a referral link from a friend. Once you‘re a member, you‘ll get your own link to share for $10 credits.

What if I don‘t like something in my Misfits box?
Misfits Market has a flexible return policy. If you‘re not satisfied with the quality of any item you receive, you can request a refund for that item within 7 days of delivery. They‘ll credit the cost back to your account to apply to a future order.

Is Misfits Market produce really "ugly"?
The fruits and veggies from Misfits Market are certified organic and non-GMO, but they may be misshapen, discolored, or smaller/larger than what you‘d typically find in a grocery store. Some items are "uglier" than others, but I‘ve found the quality and taste to be consistently excellent, even if the appearance is a bit quirky.

Is Misfits Market packaging eco-friendly?
Misfits is committed to reducing waste in their packaging, not just their produce. The boxes are made from recycled cardboard and are recyclable. They use biodegradable and compostable insulation made from corn starch. The minimal plastic bags and bands used can be recycled at store drop-offs.

What if my Misfits Market delivery is missing items?
On the rare occasion an item is missing from your order, contact Misfits Market within 7 days for a replacement or account credit. In my experience, their customer service is super responsive and eager to make things right.

Do you have to get a Misfits box every week?
Nope! You can choose to get deliveries weekly or every other week. You can also pause, skip, or cancel your subscription at any time before the weekly cutoff (5 days before your next scheduled delivery). Misfits makes it easy to adjust your membership to fit your needs.