An Honest Misfits Market Review 2023 – Can It Save You Money?

I was lured in by a friend’s Facebook post of a kitchen counter filled with fresh produce. The winter doldrums were hitting hard, and I wanted a glimpse that spring was coming, so I hit the button and subscribed to Misfits Market. Truthfully, I had no idea what it was or how it worked before I went to the website. It turned out to be a pretty good decision.

Want to learn if you can save money through Misfits Market? What about what is the produce like? And how does it compare to a CSA and other food rescue companies?

Here’s everything you need to know in our honest Misfits Market Review 2023.

Let’s go to The Chalkboard. 

This post was originally published in 2021 and has been extensively updated. Misfits Market contacted The Kitchen Chalkboard and gave us a gift card to cover our most recent order. This post contains affiliate links. meaning that we will receive a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. For more information, please read our full disclaimer.

How Does Misfits Market Work?

The company’s mission is “to provide affordable access to healthy food and to fight the food waste crisis.” These are two ideas we can easily get behind. We are huge proponents of reducing food waste and saving money on groceries.

Here’s how it works. Misfits buys food from farms and other suppliers that aren’t up to grocery stores and other outlets’ standards and sell them to their customers. There aren’t major problems with the food; it’s just that they may be a little smaller than average or have a small blemish.

As of 2022, the company sells wine, pantry products, and dairy. These items may be close to expiration but otherwise, just fine.

It used to be that I had to commit to a box of produce with limited options. The company has changed its model and now offers its customers more flexibility. They now carry about 1,000 items. An order from Misfits won’t replace your shopping trip, but it can check off many items.

During the three-day shopping window, customers shop on the website and create an order. Once the total for the category reaches the $30 minimum, the order ships. There are three categories for orders, food (which includes produce and pantry items), wine, and cold items (which include dairy and meats). Each ship separately and therefore has a shipping charge.

Misfits Market Review 2023 — Does It Save You Money?

Yes, Misfits Market will save you money. 

I compared the cost of a recent order from the company to a local grocery store. The grocery store’s total cost was $62.90, well above the $40 I paid Misfits Market. That $40 included shipping, too. That’s a savings of over $20!

As for online grocers, we’ve done several comparisons, and Amazon Fresh consistently comes in as the cheapest. Comparing our recent order, Misfits Market was in line with the cost of Fresh. The orders were within one dollar of one another.

The produce was enough vegetables to feed my family of four for a week. It was well worth the cost and aligned with my CSA.

Misfits Market Review 2023 – What Is The Produce Like?

The word misfits may be a turn-off to you. But the truth is, the ugly produce wasn’t too ugly after all. Most of the fruits and vegetables I received were no different than what I would pick for myself at the grocery store or receive from Amazon Fresh. Only the green bell peppers I received were a bit bruised, but the taste was okay. The zucchini also had a minor indent on the outside, which I attribute to thinner skin. That may be the variety and not necessarily attributed to Misfits. 

I did find that the produce didn’t last nearly as long as my CSA or even grocery store produce. Now, comparing vegetables that have traveled a distance with ones from a local farm is not exactly fair. Quality certainly degrades over time on all vegetables, but it is worth noting that you will want to eat the food within a week or so to ensure quality.

Misfits Market Review 2023 – Shipping

When you place your order, it’s clear that has to meet your minimum before a certain day and time for it to arrive on a specific day. If you don’t complete the order within that timeframe, the date changes. It’s easy to know when your order will arrive when you are on the website. Once your order meets the minimum, it will ship on the date specified. NOTE: You won’t receive an email confirmation of your order, but you will receive a shipping confirmation.

The delivery service did a great job, and my orders were always on time and packages handled with care. Unlike other places I’ve ordered groceries, the packaging is minimal, and every piece can be recycled.

New for 2023, the company recycles your packaging, including gel packs, egg carton liners, and silver insulated liners. To take advantage of this program, leave your packaging where your order is normally delivered. If you’re in an apartment complex, use the Delivery Instructions to indicate where you’ll leave the packaging for pick up. I love this since excess packaging is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Misfits Market Shipping Fees 2023

Since categories ship separately, there are fees for each.

Wines – $8.99 for three bottles, free for six or more

Cold and Produce – Starts at $6.99 an order

Where Is Misfits Market Shipped From?

Misfits partners with various farms throughout the country. The company doesn’t list the farms on its website, and I wish they would. It would add a personal touch that would help the customer connect with the food better, especially those used to CSAs. When you do a crop share, you and the farmer connect.

Misfits Market shipped my produce from New Jersey. Based out of Philadelphia, the company recently opened a 140,000-square-foot facility to service the East Coast.

Misfits Market vs. Imperfect Foods

There are several competitors in the vegetable rescue market. Misfits Market’s main competition, Imperfect Foods, is another service we recommend. The company has a more extensive selection, although, with weekly orders, it’s more of a commitment. To learn more, read our honest review of Imperfect Foods.

New for 2023 — Misfits Market acquired Imperfect Food. As of now, both companies continue to operate separately, although, behind the scenes, they share resources.

Misfits Market Vs. A CSA

So, how is Misfits Market different than a CSA?

We are huge proponents of joining a Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA). You support local farmers while getting fresh produce. CSAs vary by farm, but most offer weekly produce you have delivered or picked up at a central location. Most times, you cannot choose what goes into the box you receive each week since it is based on what is in the fields. 

Misfits Market is not a subscription-based program, and they gather produce from all different farms. The fruits and vegetables aren’t up to the cosmetic standards to sell via traditional methods, and the company rescues them to sell. Unlike a CSA, you can choose what you get in your package from specific items. As of last year, the company sells dairy, non-perishables, and wine, so you can get a lot of your shopping done. It won’t replace the grocery store, though.

An Honest Misfits Market Review 2023 – Is Misfits Market Worth It?

Misfits Market is an excellent service. The website is easy to use, and the product selection is great. We love their mission to make food affordable and end the food waste crisis! 

Supporting local farmers is very important to me, and therefore, the service won’t take the place of my CSA.

Although the recent changes allow for more flexibility in ordering and greater product assortment, I will use it for a few weeks during the off-season. The prices are great, and it is a service we recommend.

Who Is Misfits Market Good For?

If you cook a great deal, Misfits Market may be the right fit for you. We love the selection –there were some vegetables they carried that were not offered at our local markets or farms.

But you must be prepared to use it up within a week of receiving your shipment, as the fruits and vegetables don’t last too long, and some dairy items have shorter expiration periods.

Misfits Market – Sign Up Now!

A Misfits Market Review 2023 —Who Is Misfits Market NOT Good For?

If you don’t plan on cooking often, do not bother with this service. Food needs to be used within a week or so, and if the food goes unused, you are creating more food waste!

Also, if you are trying to support local farmers, you are better served with a CSA.

How To Make The Most Of Your Misfits Market Box

• Start small. Go for a small order first to make sure you will eat everything. There’s no need to create more food waste! You can always move to a bigger package for your next delivery. Misfits Market makes that easy. 
• Store items properly! Food will last longer when properly stored. I take bunched greens, wrap them in paper towels, and then place them in freezer bags. Non-bunched items, I add a paper towel to the bag it came in to help absorb any moisture. I found this guide very helpful.
• Inspect items and see what needs to be used first. A simple rule of thumb is that if you think the food is delicate, eat it first! 
• Don’t be afraid to try new foods. Using Misfits Market is an excellent opportunity to try something new. Afraid you won’t like it? Make it a side dish and serve it with a favorite protein. 
• Not sure what an item is? Contact them. Some vegetables look very similar (I’m looking at you, escarole and lettuce). If you aren’t sure what you got, check their website or email them. 
• Meal plan! It reduces food waste and helps you to cook every night consistently. Don’t know where to start? Check out our Ultimate Guide. 

What Do You Think?

Did you find our Misfits Market Review 2023 helpful? Have you tried a produce delivery service like Misfits Market or a CSA? How did it work out? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear.

Interested in other online grocers? Check out our unbiased review of Thrive Market.

Happy Veggies!

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