At Misfits Market, we believe good food tells a story—and few things tell a better one than heirloom and heritage produce. These varieties have been passed down for generations, grown not for uniformity or shelf life, but for flavor, seasonality, and character. They might look a little different from the standard grocery store fare, but that’s exactly why we love them.
In fact, heirloom fruits and vegetables are some of the most flavorful and nutrient-dense produce we offer. They’re a core part of our mission to deliver high-quality, organic groceries while reducing food waste and supporting sustainable agriculture. Curious about what makes them so special? Read on to learn what heirloom means.
What Are Heirloom Vegetables (and Fruits)
Heirloom (or heritage) produce refers to fruit and vegetable varieties that have been grown and passed down for decades—sometimes centuries—without being genetically modified or commercially bred for traits like uniform shape or long-distance shipping. These crops are often open-pollinated, meaning they’re naturally pollinated by insects, birds, or the wind. The result? A wider diversity of shapes, colors, and flavors that you’d never find in the average grocery store.
Keep reading: What Does Organic Food Really Mean? A Guide to Organic Produce, Farming, and Food
Why We Love (and Sell) Heirloom Produce
- Flavor with Character: While not always bred for sweetness, many heirloom varieties deliver bold, complex, and sometimes unexpected flavor profiles.
- Biodiversity Boost: Supporting heirlooms means preserving plant diversity and food culture.
- Sustainably Sourced: Many heirloom crops come from smaller farms using organic or regenerative practices.
- Perfectly Imperfect: These aren’t your cookie-cutter tomatoes or oranges—and that’s a good thing.
We work with a network of farmers who grow these varieties with care and intention, bringing their harvests to our storefront for customers who want something better, fresher, and more flavorful.
Why Heirloom Matters: The Risk of Losing Flavor—and Biodiversity
Most of the produce you find in big grocery stores isn’t heirloom—it’s been selectively bred over time for uniformity, shelf life, and durability during long-distance shipping. While that might make supply chains easier to manage, it comes at a cost: flavor, nutrition, and biodiversity.
Many modern, non-heirloom varietals are bred to look perfect and last longer in transit, but they often sacrifice taste and texture in the process. Nutritional density can also decline when crops are optimized for speed and scale instead of richness and complexity.
Worse, when farms grow just one or two varieties of a crop across massive acreage, it increases the risk of disease and climate vulnerability. A single pest or weather event can wipe out entire harvests. This kind of monoculture farming puts our food system at risk by narrowing the gene pool of what we eat.
By supporting heirloom and heritage varieties—whether it’s tomatoes, citrus, or even pantry staples—we help preserve genetic diversity in our food supply and keep better-tasting, more resilient crops in the mix. It’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about building a food system that’s more flavorful, sustainable, and prepared for the future.
Some of Our Favorite Heirloom Picks
Organic Heirloom Tomatoes: Heirloom tomatoes are classic summer beauties that come in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors—from deep red and golden yellow to green striped and purple-skinned. Their rich, complex flavor is unbeatable for slicing onto sandwiches or tossing into salads.
Organic Mixed Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweet, tangy goodness, this bite-sized heirloom tomato variety is the perfect snack or salad topper. They’re also a great intro to heirloom varieties if you’re new to the category.
Organic Heirloom Blenheim Apricots: Rare and highly seasonal, Blenheim apricots are prized for their floral aroma and balance of sweetness and acidity. They have a short harvest window, so don’t miss out when they’re in season.
Organic Heirloom Navel Oranges: With an ultra-juicy texture and intense citrus flavor, these heirloom oranges are a throwback to older varieties that predate today’s standard navels. Expect a deeper orange hue and bold, sweet-tart flavor.
Organic Heirloom Carrots: These heirloom vegetables are typically sweeter, with a more complex flavor profile, than your average carrot. Depending on the variety, some may taste earthy, fruity, or even peppery.
Honorable Mentions: Heirloom and Heritage Staples Beyond Produce
We don’t just carry heirloom fruits and veggies—we also source heritage ingredients and upcycled products that celebrate flavor, sustainability, and food history in every bite.
- Cooks Venture Heirloom Ground Chicken
- Masienda White Corn Tortillas
- Pipcorn x Misfits Market Upcycled Twists: Savory Onion
- Pipcorn Upcycled Twists: Honey BBQ
- Pipcorn Heirloom Popcorn: Sea Salt
- Sonoma Gourmet Organic Heirloom Tomato Pizza Sauce
These pantry and protein picks are perfect examples of how heirloom ingredients can elevate everyday meals while supporting sustainable sourcing practices.
The Bottom Line
Heirloom produce offers more than just good looks—it delivers serious flavor and supports a better food system. By choosing these unique varieties, you’re helping preserve biodiversity, reduce food waste, and support sustainable farms.
At Misfits Market, we’re proud to make these special fruits and vegetables more accessible through organic grocery delivery, so you can get flavorful, peak-season produce delivered right to your door.
What to Make with Heirloom Produce
These vibrant fruits and veggies don’t just look good—they taste even better. Here are a few recipe ideas to help them shine.