Did you know that almost half of all fruits and veggies in the U.S. get THROWN AWAY? Whether because it’s “imperfect” produce or because people got it home, let it go bad, kids wouldn’t eat it, etc. … 🥕
Seriously, think about that and let the shock set in!
And I’m not done shockin’ ya yet — the average family throws away at least $1,600 worth of fruits and veggies away every year!
And maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t! I don’t let things go bad, and/or I don’t throw out things after a few days thinking they’re already bad…OR I do stuff like make banana bread…”
Well, that’s awesome that you waste less food than the average family and you’re good at eating your veggies on time!
But unfortunately, no matter what YOU do, so much of the wasting happens BEFORE you even see those lettuce heads and baby carrots on the display shelves!
After all, grocery stores can only display final products without bruises, discoloration, dings, any weird shapes or other abnormalities like when your baby carrot is a “double”…And it’s funny that we call these things “abnormalities.”
Because we’re talking about almost HALF of all existing fruits and veggies being “abnormal,” just because it’s imperfect produce!!
And OK, I’m not here trying to start some “accept your veggies how they are” campaign of sparkles and sunshine…I get that nobody wants produce that looks like there’s something wrong with it, even if it’s just the looks! It just instinctively seems gross and even dangerous, right? (Even though, if you garden, I’m sure that not everything you pick to eat out of your garden is 100% normal looking…)
OK, but what if the imperfections are just, like, the shape being a little off? Or an item being TOO BIG OR SMALL?? Really not a big deal, but this is the stuff that’s getting senselessly tossed!
And, FARMERS have got to hate leaving perfectly good stuff in the field! Or having it be taken to the landfill! (Instead of the farmer getting paid for it…)
Well…that’s true and it’s the idea behind a company called Imperfect Produce. You may have already heard of them since there’s been a ton of Facebook ads. Â
There are also similar projects like Misfits produce.
Farmers obviously don’t want their fruits and veggies thrown away (and their money wasted), any more than you do! Companies like Imperfect Produce know this… So ccording to their website, they work with over 150 farmers to help those farmers use MORE of their imperfect crops…and then you as the consumer can buy them for 30% less!!!
So what’s the catch? Welllll, the only CATCH I can see is that this isn’t CATCHING ON!
Yes, the stuff is 30% cheaper…But when it comes down to it, people just don’t trust that “mutated looking” carrot…or those slightly darkened potatoes…even if they’re told it’s safe. So unfortunately, stores like Meijer and Price Chopper WERE participating in this program, but recently decided to quit.
On the bright side, this is becoming popular in OTHER grocery chains at the same time, so hopefully it won’t get “thrown away” any time soon!
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