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Daily news and analysis about the food tech revolution

Imperfect Foods

Imperfect Foods Will Be a Net-Zero Carbon Company by 2030

Online grocer Imperfect Foods announced today its pledge to become a net-zero carbon operation by 2030. Via a press release sent to The Spoon, the company claims this timeline is 10 years ahead of most major retailers and 20 years ahead of the Paris Agreement Deadline.

Imperfect began as a service that rescued surplus fruits and veggies from supermarkets to sell at discounted prices to customers. A few successful fundraises later, the company is a full-fledged online grocer selling not just rescued produce but also meat, dairy, and pantry staples from other environmentally conscious companies.

To track its carbon footprint, Imperfect has partnered with Watershed, a software platform that measures a business’s carbon footprint across every touchpoint of its supply chain. Speaking in today’s press release, Imperfect said that through Watershed’s platform, the company can see which parts of its supply chain are emitting greenhouse gases and redesign operations based on that information.

Imperfect laid out a few steps for going net-zero carbon. It plans to have its first “zero-waste-to-landfill” facility operational by 2022, and a total of six such facilities operational by 2025. All six fulfillment centers will run off renewable power by 2026, and the company’s vehicle fleet will be electric by 2027. Finally, improving regional sourcing by 15 percent is a near-term goal, slated for 2022.

Imperfect’s announcement today is the latest in a string of recent stories about food companies’ various sustainability efforts, from Just Salad’s zero waste delivery aspirations to Burger King’s reusable cup program. Sweetgreen a chain that has pledged to go carbon neutral by 2027, is also using Watershed to track its carbon footprint.

There are also a few grocery-specific developments around sustainability of late. Kroger’s Zero Hunger/Zero Waste program addresses many sustainability issues, and Aldi says it will shift to sustainable packaging by 2025. Walmart, meanwhile, has a goal of reaching zero emissions by 2040.

For its part, Imperfect’s goal is to go beyond just sustainable food sourcing and “ensure [that] each internal process ladders up to an operationally net-zero carbon business model.”

 

A Designer From Spain Has Turned Food Waste Into a Skincare Line

Redistributing cosmetically imperfect produce via grocery and restaurant services is one way to keep food out of landfills. Turning those cosmetically imperfect fruits and veggies into actual cosmetics is another method, and one Spanish designer Júlia Roca Vera is taking with her Lleig skincare line.

Dezeen, a website covering all things design, profiled the process Vera used to make four different skincare products from a single piece of fruit, in this case an orange that was discarded because it was cosmetically unacceptable by supermarket standards. From that orange, Vera, who is currently a design and engineering student, created moisturizer, a soap, a potpourri, and a juice for drinking.

Lleig (Catalan for “ugly”) is as much a conceptual design project as it is a skincare line, with products coming in reusable clay containers and the suggestion to complete certain rituals during the skincare process. Vera worked with Espigoladors, a social enterprise that “rescues” cosmetically imperfect produce, to source the food used for the project. While she focused on an orange, she told Dezeen that her process would also work will apples, bananas, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.

There’s no way to purchase Lleig right now, as it’s more design statement than scalable product at the moment. The larger point of the project is to raise awareness about why we throw certain foods away as well as what can be done with those items instead of tossing them in the landfill. Vera told Dezeen that she “hopes to encourage a holistic approach to beauty that prioritises health and wellbeing over external appearance.” That goes for humans and produce items alike. 

In the U.S., rescuing cosmetically “unfit” produce is still a fairly new area of the food industry, with its main players companies like Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods that sell this rescued food as discounted groceries. Whether skincare made from food waste every becomes a scalable notion remains to be seen. However, the idea does give us one more reason to keep food out of the landfill.

Sustainable E-Grocer Imperfect Foods Increases Series D Round to $110M

Imperfect Foods has increased its recently announced series D round to $110 million, up from $95 million. The increased round now includes two additional investors, Hamilton Lane and Blisce, and brings Imperfect’s total funding to $229.1 million.

The company says it will increase the production capacity of its online grocery store and improve the shopping experience for customers. 

Imperfect Foods’ evolution from food redistribution service to full-stack online grocer started in 2019 when the company began offering “rescued” foods beyond produce items: meats, pantry staples, and dairy, for example. The idea was to extend Imperfect’s original modus operandi — rescuing surplus food and selling it to consumers for a discount — to any type of food, whether an avocado or an unused cheese plate rescued from an airline.

Rescuing food is one tactic in the fight against food waste. Surplus and so-called “ugly” groceries, inventory at restaurants, and, yes, cheese plates and other food items from airplanes, would typically go to the landfill, contributing to the world’s multibillion-dollar food waste problem. Redirecting that cosmetically imperfect but perfectly edible food to consumers also informs the business models of Misfits Markets, Flashfood, Too Good to Go, and several others.

More investment dollars for Imperfect and these other companies suggests U.S. consumers are receiving the concept of ugly-food redistribution more in 2021 than they have in the past. Historically, the category has been more popular in Europe. However, with online grocery projected to be 21.5 percent of total grocery sales by 2025 and awareness of our food waste problem increasing, more folks are willing to pay less for their food items, even if they come with imperfections.

Imperfect said in a press release sent to The Spoon that the Series D round, including the add-on investments, will help the company build “the most sustainable online grocery service.” Currently, users in parts of the U.S. can sign up at the company’s e-commerce storefront to receive deals on grocery delivery. Imperfect currently serves the West South Central, Midwest, and Northeast regions and the West Coast. 

Imperfect Foods Raises a $95M Series D Round

Imperfect Foods, a national online grocer that specializes in selling surplus and cosmetically “imperfect” foods, announced today that it has raised a $95 million Series D round of funding. The round was led by Insight Partners and brings Imperfect’s total amount of funding to $214.1 million.

Imperfect Foods (formerly Imperfect Produce) aims to reduce waste in our current food system by “rescuing” so-called ugly foods — think misshapen carrots or potatoes — and selling them directly to consumers at a discounted prices. Without these rescues, such food would go straight to the landfill, further contributing to the world’s multibillion food waste problem.

In 2020, Imperfect transitioned from a regional produce delivery service into a national full-service grocer, expanding its catalog to include pantry items, meat, seafood, dairy and other products. Items sold are surplus, cosmetically imperfect, or sourced from sustainable partners. Some examples from last year include buying up allotments of cheese plates going unused by airlines and popcorn kernels from empty movie theaters. Imperfect also released a holiday snack box at the end of 2020 that featured cosmetically imperfect but otherwise perfectly edible snack items.

Imperfect said in today’s press announcement that it has a growing customers subscriber base of more than 350,000 customers. But it’s not alone in the “ugly” food space. Misfits Market, which does much the same thing, has raised more than $100 million in funding.

That money is flowing into Imperfect and Misfits is not too much of a surprise. The global pandemic pushed record numbers of people into online shopping. Even though vaccines are now out, and we may be seeing the pandemic recede, grocery e-commerce is projected to remain sticky with consumers and grow to gobble up 21.5 percent of overall grocery spending by 2025. So having an established grocery delivery infrastructure right now is far from an imperfect business idea.

The 2020 Kitchen Gift Guide: Bonbowl, BEERMKR, PantryChic and More

There hasn’t been much cause to celebrate during this past year, but maybe the holidays can bring with it a little retail therapy.

If you’re looking to give (or get) the best kitchen gear, than look no further than this list that we’ve put together for you!

JENN

Bonbowl ($149)

My colleagues can attest to the fact that I won’t shut up about the Bonbowl, so it’s only fitting it lands somewhere in this gift guide. As food tech gadgets go, the device is ridiculously simple: it’s an induction cooktop the size of a stove burner and an accompanying bowl you can both cook in and eat from. But you can get a lot of uses out of this simple setup. Since purchasing mine a few months ago, I’ve made single-serving soups and pastas, scrambled eggs, reheated countless leftovers, and made rice krispie treats. Sometimes I use it as a fifth burner for heating sauces when cooking a big meal. Obvious recipients of this device would be a college student (if they ever get to go back to the dorms). That said, I’d buy it for just about anyone who regularly needs to throw a quick meal for one together and hates washing dishes.

Imperfect Foods Gift Box ($24.99)

Fight food waste through holiday gifting. That’s the credo behind online grocer Imperfect Foods’ new holiday snack box. Each box contains a mix of snacks made from “rescued” food — that is, foods that would have otherwise gotten chucked out of the grocery store because of cosmetic imperfections. Some of the included snacks are dried mango considered too “sunburnt” to sell, peppermint- and dark chocolate-covered pretzels that broke into pieces during production, and surplus seasonings. Imperfect Foods says each box saves about nine pounds of food from going to waste. It’s also just a fun way to get your loved ones alert to the world’s 1.3 billion-ton food waste problem. Finally and most importantly, proceeds from the boxes go to Feeding America.

The Personal Rise Garden ($279)

While we’re on the subject of kitchen tech for small spaces, The Personal Rise Garden, a countertop version of Rise Garden’s automated smart farm, just launched and will ship in time for the holidays. Like Rise’s other indoor farms, this one is meant to be used in the average person’s home and doesn’t require agricultural experience or even tech savviness. The accompanying app does most of the work: it calculates temperature, manages the nutrient levels of plants and alerts the user when it’s time to water the garden. The price point is a little high for the average holiday gift, but if you have a loved one who’s a leafy greens devotee and is tired of having to haul ass to the grocery store every other day in the midst of a pandemic, this might be a good investment.

CHRIS

BEERMKR ($499)
I have a full review of the BEERMKR system coming out soon, but here’s all you need to know. I have never attempted to brew beer before. With the BEERMKR, though, I was able to make what is, according to everyone I’ve shared it with, a delicious stout on my first try. BEERMKR’s unique system is simple enough that a N00b like me can use it, but open ended enough that a pro can customize their brew however they like. What’s nice is that it doesn’t require buckets and hoses and bottles, and it doesn’t take a bunch of your time and attention. It just works and is perfect for the BEERLVR in your life.

Photo: Crowd Cow website.

CrowdCow Gift Certificate ($25 – $250)
When the pandemic first hit and we weren’t sure how safe it was to go to grocery stores, I immediately started buying meats through CrowdCow’s online marketplace. It’s been eight months and I’m still buying fish and chicken from CrowdCow’s small farms and fisheries. The service is fast and the quality is top-notch. I highly recommend the halibut!

Philips 3200 LatteGo Superautomatic Espresso Machine ($799)
Look. I’m sorry that I’ve put two very pricey items on my gift guide here. Really. But if you are able to swing it, this superautomatic coffee machine is worth every penny. I saved up and got one for my wife for her birthday+mother’s day towards the beginning of the pandemic. My reasoning? If we’re going to be stuck on lockdown, she may as well start each (Groundhog) day with a delicious cup of coffee. This machine grinds and brews (excellent!) espressos, cappuccinos and straight-up coffee. Plus, the LatteGo system is a super-easy, hose-free way of steaming your choice of milk. And yes, it’s expensive, but given how often it gets used in our house, the cost comes out to about $3.60 a day, which is less than getting a Starbucks latte everyday. And given that this pandemic won’t be over anytime soon, that cost per day will continue to drop.

MIKE

Misen Carbon Steel Pans ($55)

Like many, In recent years I’ve started to move away from chemical heavy non-stick surfaces and rely more heavily on things like my Lodge cast iron skillet. The only problem is the thing weighs more than Thor’s hammer and requires an oven mitt to move around once hot. Enter carbon steel. Carbon steel has been one of those pro kitchen secrets that has started to make its way into the consumer kitchen, and now it’s one of the fastest growing categories for consumer cookware. The growing popularity is due in part because carbon steel offers most of the same benefits of cast iron (durability, high heat tolerance) without its downsides. So when Misen, which got its start as an Instagram purveyor of knives, recently launched their line of carbon steel and I picked up the 10 and 12” bundle. They work great. You still need to season them, but if you or your loved one is looking for a new set of go-to pans, I’d try them out. 

The PantryChic Smart Storage System ($350)

Do you have a hyper organized type on your gift list who wears out their label maker organizing everything into little containers and bins? You might want to consider buying them the PantryChic smart storage system. Sure, the system allows you to store food into interchangeable bins and then dispense using exact measurements with the built-in scale, the container system is BPA-free and airtight, and it all works with the Chefling smart kitchen app to manage food inventory. But you can also feel good buying the product from a founder who has worked long and hard to get the product to market: PantryChic was invented by Nicole Lee who, together with her husband, showed off a prototype at the first Smart Kitchen Summit back in 2015. After half a decade of persistence, they finally started shipping the product last month. You can find the on  PantryChic’s website or on Amazon.  

Stasher Bags

Like everyone else, I’m cooking more at home during the pandemic, and that has meant firing up my sous vide circulator at least once or twice a week. While many are still using plastic bags – either in the form of Ziploc or vacuum seal bags – a couple years ago I started using reusable silicon bags for all of my sous vide. The category got its start when Kat Nouri launched Stasher bags back in 2016 and a couple years later got an investment by Mark Cuban on Shark Tank. The bags aren’t cheap – the half gallon bag (which I use) costs $20 – but you won’t have to keep buying Ziplocs or a vacuum sealer and don’t have to feel bad about putting more plastic into the waste stream. If you’re just getting started or buying for a sous vide fanatic in your family, start at least with a half-gallon or go up to the stand up mega bag, which holds almost up to a gallon. 

Imperfect Foods’ New Snack Box Lets You Fight Food Waste Through Holiday Gifting

A key tactic for fighting food waste at the consumer level is to incentivize folks with easy, affordable solutions that don’t require a whole lot of work. Bundling food-waste-fighting concepts into holiday gift ideas seems like one surefire way to do that, and it’s something food redistribution platform Imperfect Foods will be doing in 2020. The company today announced the launch of its first-ever holiday gift box containing a mix of so-called “imperfect” snack items, according to a press release sent to The Spoon. 

Imperfect, which raised $72 million earlier this year, “rescues” surplus and cosmetically imperfect food items from grocery stores and delivers them to consumers at discounted prices. That includes fruits, vegetables, and pantry items as well as meat and dairy. 

It follows, then, that all snack items included in the newly announced holiday gift box come with their own rescue stories. Those include:

  • Dried mango considered too “sunburnt” to sell at grocery
  • Almond butter toffee that broke into pieces
  • Peppermint- and dark chocolate-covered pretzels that broke into pieces during production
  • Surplus seasonings
  • Leftover snack mix bits like peanuts, pretzels, and sesame sticks
  • Almonds with “blemishes”

While the above list would satisfy most snack lovers’ cravings, it more importantly offers a quick snapshot of the many ridiculous reasons retailers throw food out — food that could otherwise be purchased for lower prices or given to those without access or means to regular grocery store items. In high-income countries like the U.S. and many places in Europe, the majority — more than 80 percent — of food waste happens at consumer-facing levels like retail. Needless to say, there are a lot of blemished almonds out there that need a home, and a lot of people in the country who could benefit from keeping them out of the landfill.

Nor is Imperfect the only food rescue service out there. Two other notables include Misfits Market, which operates similar to Imperfect and recently raised $85 million, and Flashfood, a Canada-based service that currently works with Meijer grocery chains to rescue food.

Packaging rescued snack items as holiday goodies may also be a way for a company like Imperfect to make the concept of fighting food waste more appealing and, well, fun. No other food waste apps besides Imperfect have yet to surface with a holiday offering, though it wouldn’t be surprising if they did over the next few weeks.

The Imperfect Foods Holiday Box will be available for both Imperfect subscribers and nonmembers for $24.99 starting November 16. The company said in today’s press release will save about nine pounds of food from going to waste. Proceeds from the boxes go towards Feeding America.  

Imperfect Foods Raises $72M to Expand Delivery of Ugly Produce and Pantry Goods

Imperfect Foods, the company that delivers surplus and “ugly” food directly to consumers, announced today that it had closed a $72 million Series C funding round. The round was led by Insight Partners with support from existing investors, including Norwest Venture Partners. This bumps the total amount raised by Imperfect up to $119.1 million.

You may have seen Imperfect Foods (formerly known as Imperfect Produce) boxes sitting on stoops around your neighborhood. Since 2015, the company has been delivering boxes of surplus and cosmetically imperfect produce — that is, fruits and vegetables that would normally go to waste — to consumers in curated boxes. The produce is discounted up to 30 percent compared to grocery store prices.

In an intriguing pivot, last year the company diversified into other grocery categories, like dairy, meat, and pantry items. Some of these were still “imperfect” products, like coffee beans that were too small or misshapen almonds, but others were not. Last year the company also launched a pilot program to pick up their delivery boxes for reuse.

With its new funds, Imperfect will continue to bring its grocery delivery to more areas across the country and add on to its fulfillment centers.

I received Imperfect boxes for a little over a year but discontinued them since, as a single person, I couldn’t use enough of my box to justify the cost. But ever since the pandemic has had me sheltering in place and dreading trips to the grocery store, I’ve missed my weekly boxes of produce and staples.

In fact, COVID-19 actually presents a valuable opportunity for Imperfect Foods. Surveys show that up to 60 percent of consumers are “fearful” of shopping inside grocery stores, while sales of online groceries are skyrocketing. Imperfect can provide the online grocery experience with a side of good conscience since you’re also cutting down on food waste.

Imperfect isn’t the only company to deliver ugly fruits and vegetables to consumers. Misfits Market also ships boxes of cosmetically flawed produce to consumers. Theirs is all organic, but the key difference is that you can’t choose what’s in your box, while Imperfect offers customization options.

In a time when consumers are relying on convenience and valuing their health perhaps more than ever, it’s a prime time for delivery services like Imperfect. Clearly investors feel the same way.