Subscription food boxes are nothing new, but finding an offering that exactly meets your needs and budget – that’s pretty uncommon these days. Good and Fugly was first recommended to me when I read a thread where people wanted to know what food operators were doing to address food waste. After doing some research, I found some Good and Fugly reviews. As the name suggests the fruit and vegetables found in these boxes are good but they are also… fugly. By that, they mean that some of the Good and Fugly fruit and vegetables have spots, and bruises and might not be in the usual shape. The state and quality though is just as good!
What we received in our Good and Fugly box
When you order a produce box, it’s always hard to gauge what kind of quantity is in the small and large box. Is it based on weight, or is it based on the number of items? Each food delivery in Melbourne is different, but the quality and quantity of Good and Fugly were a great surprise. We ordered a vegetable box and a fruit box so we could give an accurate Good and Fugly review, and we even signed up for an ongoing fruit and vegetable box subscription.
The fruit box offering
The fruit box came with cardboard dividers in it so that the fruits could be separated and was less likely to bruise or tear. The variety was pretty impressive for the price, and a couple of spots and bruises did nothing to impact the quality. There were also some apples and bananas that were in perfect condition but a bit small or large, which says a lot about the high standards of the supermarkets that reject these fruits. The Good and Fugly fruit box variety reflects the seasonal produce, so we enjoyed some delicious stone fruit in summer, and have since received winter fruits as we continued our subscription.
Price: small fruit box: $42, large fruit box: $62, large fruit box (work): $69
The vegetable box offering
The Good and Fugly vegetable box was packed with goodness and we have since come to expect that you cannot predict what will be in the box. Whatever is in season will be in good supply, which is how our household tries to each. I tend to put vegetables in different batches – things to have at dinner and things to have for lunch and throughout the day. The Good and Fugly vegetable box has sorted out our dinner and lunch needs, and we have been prompted to try new recipes. We have ordered fruit and veg boxes in Melbourne for years, always on the hunt for an option that is as good as shopping fresh for a deal – and few have impressed us.
Price: small vegetable box: $42, large vegetable box: $62
One thing we love about Good and Fugly vegetable boxes is that they come with recipes for the produce in the boxes. We have got recipes for soup, smoothies, pie, quiche and all kinds of meals. The Good and Fugly photos below show the recipe and produce that was included in our box.
Let’s talk about the quality of Good and Fugly
Everyone has probably been guilty at one time or another of judging fruit and vegetables based on outward appearance. It only takes a trip home from the supermarket to see just how quickly a once-perfect piece of fruit can bruise, squish and dint. So why do we hold the appearance of food products in such high esteem? When we ordered from Good and Fugly, we were expecting to see some product that was, well, ugly. Overall the bounty was in good nick and none of the marks looked like they had been there very long or were too deep.
It’s also worth noting that ‘fugly’ will look different on all fruit and veg. A head of iceberg lettuce with some dirt on the outside is not a deterrent when you peel off the outer coats for a salad or san choy bow. Similarly, older bananas and very ripe plums just open up different options, for baking, poaching or enjoying fresh.
We also found that imperfections can be worked around – like peeling the skin off or cutting off the bad parts. Imperfect vegetables can be roasted, chopped up and tossed in a stir-fry or even mashed. Imperfect fruit can be thrown in a chia pudding, yoghurt or blitzed in a smoothie. This seems obvious to note, and yet so many of us will take the time to carefully select attractive vegetables.
Where do the Good and Fugly produce come from?
Ever since its inception in 2020, Good & Fugly has been on a mission to make a difference. With unwavering determination, we have successfully distributed over 200,000 kilos of produce throughout Sydney and its surroundings. Our vision extends far beyond these borders, as we strive to expand our reach across NSW and all of Australia. By doing so, we not only support hardworking farmers but also prevent imperfect yet perfectly edible produce from ending up in landfills.
To ensure seamless coordination and minimise waste, Good and Fugly established a dedicated rescue hotline. Farmers can simply dial 13-000-FUGLY and inform us in advance about their yields that might not meet cosmetic standards. This way, we can purchase these fruits and vegetables on time, giving them a purpose and preventing unnecessary waste. As Good and Fugly grows, they recognise the need to strengthen our farmer network and enhance the efficiency of our hotline. That’s why the funds raised will be allocated towards hiring more team members.
Who started Good and Fugly?
Meet Rich! As the seventh member of the GoGet team, Australia’s pioneering and largest carshare company, Rich played a pivotal role in scaling the concept. His efforts not only propelled the company to success but also positioned it as a prominent social movement and a flourishing business, ultimately shaping the global carshare market. With extensive experience in marketing and customer relations spanning Australia and the UK, Rich’s expertise lies in identifying the sweet spot where profound social and environmental impact intersects with tangible and meaningful commercial results.
