Grocery shopping tips during Coronavirus quarantine #2

[Knitty]

I’m not sure how it’s going to work with our dietary restrictions. Maybe I can opt out for certain veggies?

Looks like Imperfect Foods allows that. Misfits Market says they are rolling it out as we speak, but not yet for everybody.

 

[mickey2942]

I’m not sure how it’s going to work with our dietary restrictions. Maybe I can opt out for certain veggies?

We just get what we get. And it has been a LOT of cabbage! I gave 2 heads to a friend. Next week I am going to make kimchee.

 

[ButForFortune]

Which one do you use? I forgot to say mine is misfit market.

I am currently enrolled in and receiving Imperfect Produce. I have had a few issues with their products, but feel it is because they were/are trying so hard to keep up with current demand due to Covid. Several items (ground beef, rice) have had leaks in the packaging. A package of chicken was so small I weighed it and it was not the full 12 oz. as advertised. However, you can choose what goes into your box. In my opinion they are VERY expensive, and the produce can be hit or miss since it is "imperfect". Example - we received gorgeous huge peaches, but tiny, tiny avocados. That said, we have had good luck with everything ripening perfectly. Quality actually seems fresher than local supermarkets. Some things have not been included in box delivered but were billed for (and once our box went "missing"), so inventory of your box and followup as necessary required.

That said - customer service has been responsive when I have called. My husband loves getting the box - LOL - he says you never know what to expect and it feels like Christmas! We will continue to order from them.

 

[ButForFortune]

Which one do you use?

Oops - double post - sorry!

 

[Knitty]

We just get what we get. And it has been a LOT of cabbage! I gave 2 heads to a friend. Next week I am going to make kimchee.

I dearly love cabbage, all kinds of ways. Can I come to your house? I've never tried making kimchee, and you can teach me!

 

[Knitty]

I am currently enrolled in and receiving Imperfect Produce. I have had a few issues with their products, but feel it is because they were/are trying so hard to keep up with current demand due to Covid. Several items (ground beef, rice) have had leaks in the packaging. A package of chicken was so small I weighed it and it was not the full 12 oz. as advertised. However, you can choose what goes into your box. In my opinion they are VERY expensive, and the produce can be hit or miss since it is "imperfect". Example - we received gorgeous huge peaches, but tiny, tiny avocados. That said, we have had good luck with everything ripening perfectly. Quality actually seems fresher than local supermarkets. Some things have not been included in box delivered but were billed for (and once our box went "missing"), so inventory of your box and followup as necessary required.

That said - customer service has been responsive when I have called. My husband loves getting the box - LOL - he says you never know what to expect and it feels like Christmas! We will continue to order from them.

Thank you so much for the detailed review! I think if my Misfits subscription doesn't work out, I'll try them!

 

[LadyL]

Picked up my produce today. Lots of good veggies plus a gallon of milk!

I had to toss the moldy cucumbers and tomatoes from the Farm to Family box. I was able to save the peppers. I was excited to get zucchini. I like that we have yellow apples this week, they’re usually red apples. I have the pears in the window to ripen.

Too many bananas tho. I usually peel them and freeze them individually in plastic wrap, tuck them in a gallon baggie. However, I have plenty already. Hopefully I can find a home for them and the mushrooms.

do they recycle those plastic containers?

 

[LadyL]

We just get what we get. And it has been a LOT of cabbage! I gave 2 heads to a friend. Next week I am going to make kimchee.

oh boy I would have to 'opt out' of that one

 

[PayrollNerd]

do they recycle those plastic containers?

I don’t see how they could as we don’t return them. I can put them in my recycle bin. I’m saving mine tho for gardening.

 

[mickey2942]

Not sure what I will get tomorrow. We have really been eating a ton more vegetables this summer due to the weekly CSA box. And I use everything! Tonight we had green beans, with onions, red peppers, and a salad.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

As much as I enjoy PayrollNerd's food photos, and mickey2942's descriptions of her mystery produce boxes, I would miss selecting produce myself. I'm like a kid in a candy store in the produce department at Nino's and have to restrain myself so that I don't choose more fresh fruits and vegetables than we'll consume in a week. I get certain fruits (bananas, berries) every trip and usually one or two other seasonal fruits (cherries and pears right now). I always get broccoli crowns, asparagus, spinach, some type of lettuce, tomatoes, and we always have carrots, celery, and onions. Then, I choose two or three other vegetables that will accompany dinners: eggplant, a variety of bell peppers, seasonal squash, kale, corn on the cob, etc. depending on what looks good. We don't have potatoes often, so I only get them when we're having steaks and want baked or roasted potatoes as accompaniment. While I'd enjoy the surprise factor in a weekly produce box, I'd miss the opportunity to carefully select the fruits and veggies that we consume regularly.

 

[Knitty]

So. Even though the Misfits Market FAQ said they are rolling out customization, I got an email last night telling me to customize. Surprising to me, since it is to be my first box, but happy happy.

Pick 6 from beefsteak tomatoes, tomatillos, swiss chard, zucchini, butternut squash, radishes, radicchio, dapple dandy pluots, starkrimson pears, peaches, orange, nectarines, Kent mango, Tuscan kale, red kale, curly kale, jicama, eggplant, green or red cabbage, broccoli, carrots.

Pick 2 from Fresno peppers, yellow summer squash, white cauliflower, English cucumber, kabocha squash, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes.

Pick 2 from Roma tomatoes, scallions, yellow or red or sweet potatoes, jalapeños, green bells, red onions, Keitts mangoes, lemons, limes, grapefruit, ginger, cucumber, mini seedless cucumber, celery, gala apples.

That was hard! Then there was a list of things I could add on. I didn't, because I need to see how much food this is in the first box before I add anything. I thought the prices were good - they give prices including % off retail and everything was 20% off or more.

Still weirdly excited about fruits and veggies. I must miss shopping more than I thought.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

oh boy I would have to 'opt out' of that one

Not a cabbage fan, either, but I sometimes make New England Boiled Dinner around St. Patrick's Day and stuffed cabbage a couple of times during the winter. I don't like creamy cole slaw, but slaw with vinaigrette is alright. When I made Colcannon for St. Paddy's Day this year, I used kale instead of cabbage after seeing Katie Lee make it that way on The Kitchen. It was actually very good, and I think that's how I'd make it in the future. Adding chopped bacon didn't hurt, either

 

[mickey2942]

I think that the benefit for me is that I don't go to the store at all. I have been maybe 3 or 4 times, since May.

 

[PayrollNerd]

As much as I enjoy PayrollNerd's food photos, and mickey2942's descriptions of her mystery produce boxes, I would miss selecting produce myself. I'm like a kid in a candy store in the produce department at Nino's and have to restrain myself so that I don't choose more fresh fruits and vegetables than we'll consume in a week. I get certain fruits (bananas, berries) every trip and usually one or two other seasonal fruits (cherries and pears right now). I always get broccoli crowns, asparagus, spinach, some type of lettuce, tomatoes, and we always have carrots, celery, and onions. Then, I choose two or three other vegetables that will accompany dinners: eggplant, a variety of bell peppers, seasonal squash, kale, corn on the cob, etc. depending on what looks good. We don't have potatoes often, so I only get them when we're having steaks and want baked or roasted potatoes as accompaniment. While I'd enjoy the surprise factor in a weekly produce box, I'd miss the opportunity to carefully select the fruits and veggies that we consume regularly.

I miss being able to select my veggies too but I’m grateful that I don’t have to budget for them. Fortunately, the Amish / Mennonite veg store here doesn’t price gouge. I can go get a few things to supplement what I’m given. I’m hoping to have some help getting a garden in this year. Then, I’ll be the one sharing veggies! LOL!

I went for my grocery pickup yesterday and they actually included some veggies too. More Brussels sprouts, potatoes, something called Cruciferous Slaw that none of us can eat, mushrooms, jalapeños and a bag of broccoli cauliflower and carrots.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I think that the benefit for me is that I don't go to the store at all. I have been maybe 3 or 4 times, since May.

The trip to Nino's is usually my only "outing" most weeks. DH and I have hair appointments this afternoon and will get groceries afterward. I was only out of the house once this week for a doctor's appointment. I'd go nuts if I couldn't get out of the house once in a while

 

[PayrollNerd]

I think that the benefit for me is that I don't go to the store at all. I have been maybe 3 or 4 times, since May.

I agree. It is the safest way to get food. Delivery or drive thru pick up for less exposure. I bring everything in, wash my hands, put everything away, wash my hands, etc. I throw away or recycle all the bags or containers.

 

[JDG]

Fewer faces in fewer places! COVID is still out there.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

So. Even though the Misfits Market FAQ said they are rolling out customization, I got an email last night telling me to customize. Surprising to me, since it is to be my first box, but happy happy.

Pick 6 from beefsteak tomatoes, tomatillos, swiss chard, zucchini, butternut squash, radishes, radicchio, dapple dandy pluots, starkrimson pears, peaches, orange, nectarines, Kent mango, Tuscan kale, red kale, curly kale, jicama, eggplant, green or red cabbage, broccoli, carrots.

Pick 2 from Fresno peppers, yellow summer squash, white cauliflower, English cucumber, kabocha squash, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes.

Pick 2 from Roma tomatoes, scallions, yellow or red or sweet potatoes, jalapeños, green bells, red onions, Keitts mangoes, lemons, limes, grapefruit, ginger, cucumber, mini seedless cucumber, celery, gala apples.

That was hard! Then there was a list of things I could add on. I didn't, because I need to see how much food this is in the first box before I add anything. I thought the prices were good - they give prices including % off retail and everything was 20% off or more.

Still weirdly excited about fruits and veggies. I must miss shopping more than I thought.

That is really an awesome selection of fresh produce, and it would be difficult for me to choose the allotted number of items in each category. I suppose, over time, I would end up trying just about everything in the various groups. Please be sure to let us know when your first Misfits Market box arrives - with photos, if possible.

The 7 Best Fresh Produce Delivery Services | Eat This Not That

 

[LadyL]

Not a cabbage fan, either, but I sometimes make New England Boiled Dinner around St. Patrick's Day and stuffed cabbage a couple of times during the winter. I don't like creamy cole slaw, but slaw with vinaigrette is alright. When I made Colcannon for St. Paddy's Day this year, I used kale instead of cabbage after seeing Katie Lee make it that way on The Kitchen. It was actually very good, and I think that's how I'd make it in the future. Adding chopped bacon didn't hurt, either

no bacon for me (vegan) but I do like a little bit of coleslaw with vinaigrette and I used to love cabbage rolls (haven't had them in decades but I do plan on making a vegan version someday)

but boiled cabbage no thank you