Misfits Market is a perfect fit

T'was the week before Christmas and our streets were frozen. With temperatures at 15 below zero, winds at 30 miles per hour, mounds of snow all about, I didn't have to worry about having fresh produce for our Christmas dinner. I had placed my order earlier in the week. I knew that Misfits Market would come through. And they did with wonderful organic produce and tasty extras. As you can see: spinach, cranberries, walnuts, flour, summer squash, grapefruit, cherry tomatoes, Killer Mike's fabulous English muffins from Portland, mushrooms, fresh green beans, cereal, flour, tangerines, and a tin of special Danish Christmas butter cookies. The last because, well, you can never have too many cookies at Christmas.

We first started ordering in November of 2020 when COVID was just beginning. I've been pleased ever since. The company website explains how during an afternoon of apple picking company founder Abhi Ramesh was shocked at the amount of apples that were left on the ground as not commercially acceptable. His business idea to capture produce that was "misfit" for usual market systems and sell it directly to consumers grew quickly. Within three years Misfits Market developed the logistics and infrastructure expanding beyond the Philadelphia area to nationwide delivery. The company partners with farms for produce and has added inventory from national brands including Bob's Red Mill, Amy's, King Arthur, Kashi, and more. They also have their own "Odds and Ends" line of pantry product. Bakery goods, an astounding variety of snacks, and a number of "up-cycled" items are available in the standard shipping packaging. Misfits also sells meats, fish, and dairy items which require frozen/cold-pack shipping. They sell wine to states where wine shipments is allowed.

How does it work? Purchasers pick a delivery day and either weekly or bi-weekly ordering, although you can add an extra delivery, or skip. Minimum order is $35. The interface is easy to use. You see the expected retail prices for each item and the Misfits price. You select everything in your box in a three-day ordering window. You can change your order up to a few hours before packing and shipping. The 27 items in my most recent order cost $125.13 with $7.99 shipping via FedEx.I did include holiday specials -- walnuts (they are wonderful! big and fresh), cranberries, and out-of-high-season strawberries.

How are the products? I've had very few complaints, and when I've had a spoilage or damage issue, it has been speedily resolved with a refund credited to my account. Rarely items are out of stock between ordering and packing. If that happens Misfits sends a notice and a refund. There are some downsides. You can't actually see the fruits or vegetables. While you do get accurate count / weight of what you'r buying sometimes the size can be slightly disappointing. I've seen this with carrots and sweet potatoes on occasion. A little recipe flexibility generally solves the issue. You may have to serve the smaller than anticipated sweet potatoes as a dish of mashed sweet potatoes, for example, instead of giving each person one of their own. To be fair, on occasion I've been surprised by truly giant produce. The Misfits Market website offers recipes and suggestions for using what's currently available to best advantage.

The front page of the Misfits Market website states their mission: "The Ugly Problem. It can be expensive to eat healthy. Yet almost half of the food grown in this county is thrown out because it cannot be sold. That's where we come in." On their one-year anniversary in October 1919 the company announced that they had rescued 10 million pounds of produce. They explain that many of the packaged goods and staples are rescued as well. They may be mislabeled, are short-dated so they can't be in the typical grocery supply chain, of the food company has changed the packaging, The company partners with non-profits making donations to food banks around the country. Packaging is largely recyclable. And the orders are beautifully packed--heavy items on the bottom, strawberries and other fragile fruits on top and in protective sleeves. Sadly, not all my local grocery baggers know how to do this as well.

Will we continue to use Misfits Market? Yes, especially in the winter when it is hard to get out and unsafe on icy roads. Will I continue to use it through the summer? Again, yes. My orders are smaller as I have my own garden and a wonderful farmers market. Here's where their pantry items shine. The bakery goods, baking supplies, unusual snacks, and treats give my family tempting choices for organic prepared foods that are hard to find and more expensive in my local markets.

For our family Misfits Market is a good fit.