Get local produce delivered from Fresh Picks. My Imperfect Foods order was canceled recently so as I was walking back from Mariano’s dragging a mini shopping cart (borrowed from a neighbor) with two weeks worth of produce and a few misc items I thought “I’m going to need a back up plan for winter in case this happens again because I will not be schlepping bags of crap through the snow!” and voila! A Fresh Picks driver pulls up to the building next door and drops off a box! Asked and answered.
What is Fresh Picks
Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks is a non-profit that creates a market and supports local small independent farmers. They partner with community groups, food pantries and schools to promote access to healthy food and green living. They support of over 100 urban and rural Midwest organic and sustainable farmers that has led to expanded food production, employment and income. Read more here.
My experience
I selected individual items instead of a fixed box. All the produce was excellent and the order arrived in the afternoon. After a few days I had an issue with a couple items that were spoiling too rapidly. I emailed customer service and they responded immediately. A credit was issued. I’ve had similar issues with Imperfect Foods, as well as regular grocery stores so this wasn’t a big deal. Overall I was very pleased with my shipment and will continue ordering from Fresh Picks and Imperfect Foods.
Can I justify spending an extra 30% a month on produce?
My monthly grocery spending was up 450% from March-August but was still less than what I used to spend on dining out and groceries combined before Covid. Most of that spending, in March and April, was to build up supplies since I had virtually no food in stock in early March. And now I’m spending nothing on entertainment and transportation so I’m still ahead hundreds of dollars a month. So if I’m going to spend an extra 30% on produce (maybe an additional $50 a month) with Fresh Pick’s I’m still ahead.
You can’t quantify the value of supporting local small farmers
I’ve decided to switch over from Imperfect Foods for my produce going forward. Of course if I was having financial difficulties such as was facing a pay cut or unemployment then I would be dragging my food home through the rain and snow and paying as little as possible!
Fresh Picks options
You can set up recurring orders of boxes or select individual items. Boxes of produce and/or other items are $17-86. When you order a box you get whatever was harvested that week. They list items that may be available but you won’t know until you get it. I did this with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison many years ago. It was kind of fun trying new items like I once got a jicama and a whole pumpkin!
Enter your zip code to see if they deliver to your area (847) 410-0595
You can also order individual items. The selection is going to vary by season. Most of the produce is organic and is clearly marked plus you can tell by the price.
They also sell frozen produce, Dairy & Eggs, Meat & Fish, Baked Goods, Grocery items, Baked Goods, Grocery and Meals.
Here’s how to get started:
1) Sign up for a free account here!
2) On your account page add the code LOCALFOOD20 to your exclusions box
3) Add your Shipping and Billing Information on your account page
4) Head over to “Start Picking” and select the items you’d like to receive each week by choosing “Add to recurring order”.
5) Once you’ve added all you’d like, head to your recurring page and enter a start date and a frequency of Weekly then hit Update to place your order!
6.) Sit back and enjoy the very best the Midwest has to offer delivered right to your door! Free Shipping and 20% discount are applied the day of delivery when we check out your order.
Ready to shop? View our products here!
Have any questions? We are available to help! Email us at answers@freshpicks.com or call 847-410-0595
*30 days begins on the date of your first delivery. Offer valid for first time customers only.
Get local produce delivered from Fresh Picks – Farmers
