Cost of Living: What seconds produce boxes are available in your region?

With food prices showing the biggest price increase since 1989 and recent weather events causing a “horticulture apocalypse” in some New Zealand regions, Kiwis are looking for ways to not only reduce on food spend, but also on waste.

In New Zealand, as much as 45% of produce never makes it to supermarket shelves. Whether due to oversupply or because the produce is too big, small, discoloured, misshapen or otherwise not quite up to supermarket standards, the “ugly” fruit and vegetables taste fine, but would be destined for the bin.

That is where seconds produce boxes come in. Various organisations around New Zealand are offering subscription boxes filled with the sad veges not deemed good enough for commercial sale. Not only are they helping reduce the massive produce waste in the country, but – as long as you’re not overly picky with your produce – give Kiwis a cheaper alternative to getting their 5+ a day.

We tracked down a selection of seconds boxes available in various regions across the North Island. There currently does not appear to be a service available in the South Island.

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Wellington, Manawatū and Auckland regions – Wonky Box

What’s in them?

Wonky Box has both fruit and vegetable or only vegetable boxes available. While the specific foods vary depending on what is in season and available, each box contains at least ten varieties.

The company sources its produce from 16 local growers, and the contents are dependent on what growers have available. Subscribers can see what’s in the box two weeks in advance, so meal-planning is easier.

At the moment the boxes contain items like cucumber, carrots, capsicum, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, apples, oranges, limes, courgettes and sprouts.

How big is the box?

For two people, one box should last about a fortnight. If you are feeding a family, it is worth ordering a weekly.

Subscription details

Unfortunately you cannot purchase one-off boxes, but subscriptions can be anything from weekly to every four weeks, and you can pause or cancel at any time.

What happens to unsold produce?

Anything not sold by the end of the week is delivered to food banks around Wellington & Auckland. Most of the surplus is given to Wellington City Mission which then winds up in the social supermarket.

Cost

Each box costs $32 plus delivery.

Wairarapa region – The Mama

The Mama is the ugly food box service of Little Farm and delivers within an 8km radius of Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Martinborough, Featherston and Pirinoa. Pickups are available in Central Wellington.

What’s in them?

Initially designed with kids in mind, The Mama boxes contain organic vegetables and sometimes fruit that was harvested more than two days prior, or is otherwise misshapen or in surplus.

Produce is sourced from Little Farm, who also sell a variety of standard fruit and vegetable boxes. The “ugly” boxes depend on the season and can vary, but they’ve previously contained items like broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin, silverbeet, apples and potatoes.

How big is the box?

The large box contains about 12 varieties of vegetables and fruit. The small box contains about 7 different varieties.

Subscription details

You can choose one-off or subscribe to weekly or fortnightly deliveries (with the option to pause or cancel at any time).

Cost

A small box is $20 and a large box costs $35. Little Farms also sells “ugly” eggs at $11.50 for 20 and ugly organic potatoes at $5 for 1kg.

Auckland – Perfectly Imperfect

What’s in them?

Auckland’s Perfectly Imperfect sources seconds from local growers around the Auckland region. Its Mystery Box subscription contains a variety of fruit and vegetables – the contents of which is announced on Mondays.

How big is the box?

The weight of the box will vary depending on what produce is available, but each will generally be between 6kg and 10kg.

Subscription details

A weekly subscription will set you back $26 plus delivery (between $13.60 and $17.60 depending on the area).

Customers can also pick up their box at no cost.

100% of the profit goes towards One World Charitable Trust and the organisation also donates food to local charities like Everybody Eats and Food Not Bomb.

Bay of Plenty and Waikato – Misfit Garden

What’s in them?

Misfit Garden buys direct from North Island farmers – from Hawke’s Bay, Tauranga, Katikati, Hamilton, Ōhakune and Taupō, prioritising surplus and misshapen produce rejected by supermarkets.

Box options include a combination of fruit and vegetable or just fruit boxes.

How big is the box?

A standard “Misfit box” which contains about 10 to 12 varieties. They also offer a mini box.

Subscription details

Customers can make one-off purchases or sign up for a subscription, with options of weekly, fortnightly, three-weekly or four-weekly delivery.

What happens to unsold produce?

Misfit Garden aims to supply at least 10% of their produce to charities and food banks around Taupō and surrounding areas. All surplus produce is donated.

Cost

The seasonal fruit box is $26 and the mini box costs $32. The larger Misfit box costs $42.