In my quest to become a better human, I am trying to take small steps that better myself and are good for this planet. A few days ago I received my very first box from Imperfect Foods. They are a grocery delivery company that is on a mission to fight food waste and build a better food system. According to a well-recognized, national non-profit organization that helps feed families in America, more than 108 billion pounds of food is wasted each year in the United States. And about 40% of all food in America is wasted. I find that shocking, yet (sadly) not surprising.

According to their website, “Imperfect [Foods] was founded to fight food waste by finding a home for the imperfect or “ugly” fruits and vegetables that farms couldn’t sell to grocery stores.” They make it so easy to get a box of these perfectly imperfect food items sent directly to your door. I opened up an account on their site and told them my food preferences. Each week, my order will have a pre-selected list of fresh produce items and private label packaged goods that are readily available and that they think I may like based on my preferences. I can edit that list by adding or removing items before the box ships to me. Then I wait a few days and VOILA! I like the surprise element of what my box may contain. But what I love the most is being able to try new foods and produce that I may have not previously had a chance to buy (or thought to buy) at my grocery store. In my first box, it was a red pear. I had never had one before and it was delicious!

Follow me on Instagram (@ljcarmona) to see what I was able to concoct in my kitchen with the items in my first order!

_{*Imperfect Foods credited by account $100 for me to try their service for the first time and to give my honest thoughts about my experience and the food items that I received.}