You Don’t Need to Go to the Grocery Store to Get Fresh Produce

You’ve likely stocked your pantry with beans and pasta, and your freezer with some peas and corn, but right about now you could use something a little fresher: maybe kale or broccoli to add a bit of green to your plate, or a splash of citrus to make you think summery thoughts. When you’re reducing your grocery visits, it can be a challenge to keep fruits and vegetables on hand—but you don’t need to go to the store (or send someone else there) to get all the produce you’re craving.

CSA farm-share boxes are always a great option—many can be delivered, and you can find ones local to you through a quick Google search. Beyond that, produce shipment services across the country help support small producers, fight food waste, and provide you with healthy, delicious ingredients. Here are a few of our favorites.

Misfits Market

Where it delivers: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia What you get:  A surprise box of “ugly” fruits and vegetables (think: a carrot that’s a little twisty or an oddly shaped squash) on a once-a-week or every-other-week subscription model. Don’t neglect the add-ons, like organic coffee beans and Bark Thins.

Natoora

Where it delivers: New York City and London What you get: Gorgeous fruits, vegetables, and more that would typically go to high-end restaurants. The app, originally designed for chefs, has opened up to residential buyers in this period of isolation, so now you can get juicy blood oranges, vibrant radicchio, and more delivered straight to your doorstep, with a 24-hour turnaround.

Imperfect Foods

Where it delivers: Arkansas, California, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin What you get: Similar to Misfits Market, Imperfect Foods focuses on exactly what it sounds like—produce that likely wouldn’t make it to your grocery store for superficial reasons. You can choose what goes in your box and add on dairy, eggs, grains, and more.

Farmbox Direct

Where it delivers: The entire continental U.S. What you get: Locally farmed fruits and vegetables that change depending on the season. You can make up to five substitutions to ensure you’re getting what you want.

Narrative Food

Where it delivers: California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara What you get: Handcrafted prepared foods (like homemade pasta) and organic fruits and vegetables. You’ll want to take advantage of the extras, such as fresh loaves of sourdough, too.

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