Imperfect Foods was founded with a mission to create a better food system for everyone. While rescuing food from waste is a key part of this, so is ensuring healthy food is accessible to those who need it most.
Since the beginning, increasing food accessibility has been a core principle. Imperfect Foods recognized that not everyone could afford their boxes. They committed to finding solutions to bridge this gap.
Imperfect Foods proudly supports initiatives that increase access to healthy food, donating thousands of pounds of produce weekly to their food bank partners. They also offer a reduced-cost box program for SNAP recipients, addressing the issue that online food retailers like Imperfect Foods cannot directly accept SNAP/EBT benefits due to outdated USDA regulations.
Reduced-Cost Boxes: Bridging the Affordability Gap
The reduced-cost box program allows eligible individuals to purchase produce at an additional 33% discount compared to regular Imperfect Foods boxes, making it approximately 50% cheaper than purchasing similar items at a traditional grocery store. While Imperfect Foods incurs a financial loss on these boxes, they believe it’s the right thing to do to ensure that good food is accessible to all, regardless of income. This initiative directly addresses food insecurity by providing affordable access to fresh produce.
Impact and Expansion
To date, Imperfect Foods has delivered over 284,000 reduced-cost boxes to low-income families and aims to deliver even more. Funding from the Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation is being used to further expand the reduced-cost box program in Chicago, with the goal of helping to eliminate food deserts on the city’s South Side. This expansion demonstrates a commitment to not only reducing food waste, but also addressing food access disparities in underserved communities.
Testimonials from Reduced-Cost Box Recipients
Here’s what these special boxes mean to Imperfect Foods’ reduced-cost box recipients, in their own words:
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“The reduced-cost produce box from Imperfect has really changed my life and allowed me to focus on my work and my home, without worrying about where our next healthy meal is going to come from.” – Taylor
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“I love my Imperfect produce box as I use it to make homemade baby food for my daughter. It’s what’s healthy for my little girl and I know what is going into it as the produce quality is amazing, just in different shapes.” -Marianne
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“After my youngest son was born I was forced to quit my job because childcare for two infants was too costly and ended up being a wash pay wise. This program is helping to keep fresh produce a daily part of my family’s life.” – Patricia
These testimonials highlight the real-world impact of the reduced-cost box program on individuals and families facing food insecurity. The program provides not only access to healthy food, but also peace of mind and the ability to focus on other important aspects of life.
How to Apply for a Reduced-Cost Box
While Imperfect Foods doesn’t directly accept EBT, anyone who qualifies for SNAP is eligible for a reduced-cost box.
Conclusion
Imperfect Foods is committed to fighting food waste and building a better food system. They achieve this not only by rescuing imperfect produce, but also by increasing access to affordable, healthy food for those who need it most. While direct EBT acceptance isn’t currently possible, their reduced-cost box program offers a valuable alternative for SNAP recipients.
