Oddbox

Oddbox is a British startup that collects ‘wonky' fruits and vegetables directly from local farms and markets for redistribution to consumers on a subscription basis. Customers can customize their box by type of produce (fruit, vegetables, or both) and the size of the box and receive it on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. As of June 2020, Oddbox had partnered with more than 50 suppliers including some large UK produce suppliers, such as G’s Fresh, Produce World, and Thanet Earth to ensure a smooth supply of ‘wonky’ produce. Oddbox also donates any excess produce to food producer charities such as City Harvest and Brixton Family Fridge in the UK.

As of August 2021, the company has delivered nearly 3 million boxes across the UK and saved around 18,834 tons of fruit and vegetables from going to waste. The company states that it aims to save 150,000 tons of produce from going to waste by 2025. The Oddbox price starts at GBP 10.99 and the company claims that its boxes are priced 30% lower than similar box services. The company also reported that its revenue grew nearly 6x year-over-year during 2020 driven by the pandemic-induced demand for its produce boxes.

In August 2021, Oddbox secured GBP 16 million (approximately USD 22 million) in funding from BurdaPrincipal Investments (BPI), the venture capital and private equity arm of Hubert Burda Media (a German media and technology company). The company expected to use the funds to strengthen its presence across the UK, improve customer experience, and increase share options for its employees.