Simon is CEO and co-founder of Imperfect Produce, a startup that delivers boxes of “ugly fruit” to East Bay homes and offices. Founded in August 2015 with a couple hundred subscribers, the company now delivers 870 boxes weekly. Each Saturday, their drivers make stops at residences in Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, Albany and Emeryville, as well as at office drop-off points in San Francisco.
Each box contains 10 to 14 pounds of produce, and costs only $12 — including doorstep delivery.
Imperfect Produce targets this waste at its source by buying directly from farmers. Currently, the company sources from 20 farms in Central Valley and Salinas.
Farmers, Simon says, are ecstatic to have this market. Imperfect Produce pays producers 50% below standard rates for their “cosmetically challenged” fruits and vegetables — much better than the haphazard funds offered by processors, who often don’t provide stable demand.
In addition to their direct-to-consumer boxes, Imperfect Produce has partnered with Raley supermarkets to feature lower priced “ugly” fruits and vegetables in some stores. The company is also in talks with other grocery chains.
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