‘Rescued’ fruits and veggies now being delivered to NJ customers

The Garden State. What better place is there for a growing produce company with a unique twist?

Baltimore-based Hungry Harvest, which experienced a boom in business after appearing on the hit ABC show "Shark Tank" in early 2016, has expanded its operations into 10 South Jersey towns.

The company purchases fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste — either for aesthetic or logistic reasons — and sends them straight to customers' doors for a fee.

According to Hungry Harvest, 20 percent of produce goes to waste. It may be considered "ugly" — misshapen, too big or small — or part of a bountiful crop that outweighs demand from stores and other customers.

"Sometimes a farmer just isn't able to get a truck from point A to point B," said Cynthia Plotch, Philadelphia city manager for Hungry Harvest.

Plotch said the company has "rescued" over 2 million pounds of produce to date. Carrots with an extra stem, tiny apples and abnormally large lemons are common finds.

Hungry Harvest started serving customers in Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Mount Laurel, Haddon Township, Haddon Heights, Audubon, Oaklyn, Collingswood and Maple Shade about a month ago. Plotch said the company plans to expand its Garden State presence.

Deliveries range from $15 to $55 apiece. New customers can enter the promo code NJLAUNCH for $5 off a purchase of $20 or more.

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Contact reporter Dino Flammia at dino.flammia@townsquaremedia.com.