It used to be a concern that we couldn’t scrutinize each apple or carrot we would be buying. But now that so many services ship fresh produce directly to our doors, there’s less of a need to worry about quality. We can get farm-fresh fruits and vegetables on our dining tables with just a few clicks. The hardest part is picking the best options, so we’ve done the research for you. Keep reading for our recommendations.
Best Produce Delivery Services of 2022
Best Overall: Imperfect Foods Best for Organic Produce: Melissa’s Best for Ugly Produce: Misfits Market Best for Exotic Fruits: Tropical Fruit Box Most Sustainable Service: Cropswap Best for Home Chefs: Farmer Jones Farm at The Chef’s Garden Best for Other Groceries: Hungryroot
ProsPrevents food from being thrown awayChoose what you getNo subscription feesAffordable options ConsShips one day a weekAuto-deliveries unless you skip or cancel Imperfect Foods started as a company to reduce food wastes and find homes for “ugly” produce that was being rejected by grocery stores. Since the company’s founding, it has since added other grocery staples such as eggs, dairy, meats, and even packaged foods to its offerings. Just answer some questions and choose your items for your weekly box. Imperfect Foods also saves broken pretzel pieces that are repurposed for chocolate-covered pretzel snacks, plus plant-based proteins, cage-free eggs, cheese, grains, and much more. Even the packaging is made from recycled materials. The company ships once per week to keep its carbon footprint low. ProsNationwide shippingOption to get fruits, veggies, or a mixCompany lists what’s in each box ConsFree shipping only in Southern CaliforniaBoxes are not customizable Melissa’s has been known by Southern Californian chefs for its great produce for years. Now, its famous produce is available nationwide. They have both organic and regular options, with a wide variety of seasonal produce and even unusual items like dragon fruits, pink pineapples, and even the kiwano horned melon (which actually tastes more like a cucumber). The company has an assortment of organic produce. You can choose from all fruit boxes, all vegetables, or a mix. Although you can’t pick and choose what goes in the organic boxes, it does list all of the items, so there are no surprises when the shipment reaches you. You can also select individual organic fruits and vegetables. Melissa’s also offers a Fruit of the Month subscription. ProsAlmost all produce is organic and non-GMOCompany handpicks farms and sourcesFlat-rate shippingShips up to seven days a week Cons Does not accommodate allergy requests Just because a potato is funny-looking doesn’t mean that it’s not tasty. Misfits Market understands that and may ship that funny potato in your subscription box. By working with smaller organic farms that may not have the infrastructure to reduce their food waste, Misfits Market passes the savings to its customers. Misfits offers customizable boxes that you can fill with any number of items: produce, pantry staples, snacks, and even proteins. There is a $30 order minimum. Boxes ship weekly with flat rate shipping that varies by zip code, but starts at $6.99. Its organic produce is cheaper than grocery stores. Note: We love Misfits Market’s mission and what it stands for, but keep in mind that the produce it ships isn’t perfect. ProsExotic fruits you can’t get anywhere elseFruits come in varying degrees of ripenessTropical roots and other items included ConsMore expensive than other options The Tropical Fruit Box company ships the tastes of the tropics all over the U.S. The colorful fruits are nicely packaged and arrive in varying degrees of ripeness, so you won’t have to worry about eating all of the items at once. Other than their seasonal assortment of mangos, bananas, papaya, mamey, avocado, and dragonfruit, you can also get shipments of pink pineapple, cassava, turmeric, squash, breadfruit, yams, malanga, and even Chinese eggplant. Getting a box is like opening up colorful burst of sunshine with large fruits. ProsUses traditionally regenerative farming methodsProducts are not available elsewhereProduce comes from a small family farm ConsA lot of plastic packaging The farmers at The Chef’s Garden have been providing seasonal produce to discerning chefs since 1983. Now, their edible flowers, specialty greens, exotic herbs, and other seasonal items can grace your gourmet home kitchen. Although the earth to table box comes directly from the farm, the produce comes pre-washed and carefully packed, individually wrapped and labeled with your name on it. Seasonal greens are packaged to last and are nutrient-dense. The Ohio farm is centrally located to ship anywhere in the United States overnight and fresh. ProsOnline quiz helps you fill your boxUsers can input diet preferencesGrocery boxes reduce food waste ConsYou can’t buy items a la carteBoxes are not fully customizable Hungryroot has you start by answering a series of questions to determine the kinds of produce and food you like so that it can build your box. The goal is to help you cut food waste by filling your boxes with meals and snacks in mind. It’s easy and fun meal planning, so you don’t have to wander the grocery aisles buying random food that ends up wasted. However, you can’t fully customize what comes in your box. Hungryroot determines it for you based on your dietary and taste preferences. Vegetables, fruits, snacks, and proteins are all included. Use code SIMPLY40OFF for 40% off your first purchase of $99+ and a free gift in every delivery.
How Do Produce Delivery Services Work?
Most produce delivery services source their produce seasonally directly from farmers. Some of them save ugly-looking items from going to landfills. Others offer exotic fruits and vegetables from warmer climes to places all over the country. You can order a preset produce assortment or you can customize your delivery. It all depends on your preferences and what you’re willing to pay. You can also have your food delivered once, weekly, biweekly, or monthly, or even gift the boxes to someone else.
How Much Does It Cost to Use a Produce Delivery Service?
The cost of produce delivery services varies greatly, from about $20 for a conventional box of mixed produce to about $100 and up for specialized fruits or large organic boxes. Prices vary depending on where you live, how much food you want, frequency of delivery, and other factors. Some companies offer free delivery, while others will give you a discount with membership. Most require a minimum order.
How Do I Choose the Best Produce Delivery Service?
Choose a delivery service based on the kinds of food you eat, what’s grown and sent nearby, and which services leave the smallest carbon footprint so that the produce doesn’t have to travel so far to get to you. It’s best to consider delivery times, dates, and what comes in the produce boxes. If you cook more on weekends, you don’t want a delivery service that ships to your area only on Mondays, for instance. If you want to pick and choose what comes in your box, select a company that lets you do that rather than one that sends its own selection.
Can You Buy Local Produce Through a Produce Delivery Service?
Whether you can get local produce from a nationwide service depends on where you live. Most companies take into account local growing in order to fill the boxes for closer delivery. For hyper-local options, you may wish to get a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box from your neighborhood farmers market. But many of those do not deliver. The beauty of national produce delivery services is not just the variety of options available, but the fact that you are typically supporting small farmers, many of whom grow organic produce or use sustainable farming methods.
Methodology
We conducted extensive research on each company’s website, as well as outside review sites to take into account the freshness, variety, and availability of their products. We also tried out some of the delivery companies and their produce. In addition, delivery methods, price, and the quality of produce were considered, along with the items that each service ships.
