30% of fruit and veg thrown away because its mishappen

bearcub

As has been said, supermarkets have made up this "customers want perfect fruit/veg". The reason they like it, is because it's easier to display! Of course, once customers find they can only buy perfect produce, supermarkets can say that's what the customer wants. I go into our local Co-op and find the most amazing range of different shaped potatoes, and sometimes tomatoes, too, if they're locally grown. Can anyone remember the days of picking out strange (and often rude) shaped fruit and veg, and laughing about it? Those of us who grow our own produce still sometimes have that slightly ridiculous childish pleasure, but do most of our kids now? And, as we've all realised, something that's perfect to look at is often a huge let-down Just look at some of our celebrities!

Sally_A

Prior to Christmas, I was in a major supermarket, probably Sainsbury's, on their veg display they had a notice along the lines of:-

"Due to the bad UK harvest, and to enable regular supplies to you, our cherished customer, we are now offering slightly mishapen veg, this also enables us to back our regular suppliers that have had a challenging year, please be aware that the nutritional value and taste has not been compromised"

How effing patronising was that??!!

Reading between the lines it reads we normally pick the pristine veg, but this year we have no choice.

I baulk at the shape of my parsnips, preparation is a challenge, but needs must.

bearcub

Living in a farming area, it would be good if Sanisbury's would actually own up to how much of this less-than-perfect produce is bought, and carry on supporting our struggling farmers! Our local farm has 1500 acres, and has been unable to do anything with 200 acres of it, because of the amount of rain. The farmer from whom we buy hay has a much smaller farm, and he's already said that the price of hay is likely to soar next year because of almost permanently waterlogged fields. If they're having problems, think how much more of a problem fruit and veg producers are having.

Callie22

I always thought the value stuff was the misshapen fruits and veggies? I generally always buy that and I'd be perfectly happy to buy even wonkier stuff if it was cheaper.

Patchwork_Quilt

The trouble is that people would pick the best ones out of a loose fruit or veg display and leave the peculiar ones for other people. What supermarkets ought to do is bag up the ugly ones and sell them for slightly less. People will just pick up a bag and get what they are given.

And yes, it is a criminal waste, not only of fruit and veg but the energy that has been poured into growing them: it can't be eco-friendly.

sarah222

I live in a welsh village and have never heard of organic veg to your door. Our local tesco is my limit unless want to travel for over 40 minutes to asda or morrisons. They dont do much organic stuff. I try to grow my own where I can and shop at certain times of day to get veg reduced etc and bulk cook. Reading about Riverfords I have searched and managed to find a company that will deliver here yay think I be studying their web site later and ordering especially as they seem to do local cheeses etc as well - heaven in a box:-) thanks OLD STYLERS for a fab idea to search on xxxx

jenster

Patchwork_Quilt wrote: »

The trouble is that people would pick the best ones out of a loose fruit or veg display and leave the peculiar ones for other people. What supermarkets ought to do is bag up the ugly ones and sell them for slightly less. People will just pick up a bag and get what they are given.

And yes, it is a criminal waste, not only of fruit and veg but the energy that has been poured into growing them: it can't be eco-friendly.

i agree bag up the so called ugly's yellow stickie them sell them a tad cheeper and everyone is happy i think it has come soon to help everyone one out , :rotfl: Love :rotfl: the idea of the ugly fruit and veg shop lol

41_and_i_know_it

jenster wrote: »

after seeing todays news 30% of ugly veg doesn't even make the shops due to it not being so called perfect ie mishappen / not cylindrical / not uniform

I know would Buy it and make very good use of it

and if so why do we waste it :mad:

would you do the same ?

Hi Jenster. Thankyou for your post. I know of a few Food Co-operatives and Farmers Markets near to me and they are very reasonably priced for a box of fruit and veg in season. As they are grown locally, everyones a winner, cheap in season, fresh and supports the locality. When its chopped up or peeled who knows what it looked like and personally home grown is the very best in taste.

RevolvingDoor

I don't care if the fruit or veg is wonky shaped. I used to get an organic box and it was sometimes weird looking but always tasted really good. It worked out too expensive in the end though.

I did throw away a couple of satsumas today because they were dry and tasted vile.:(

juno

In my experience of working in a shop, we don't get that much wonky veg come in - but that we do get isnt bought. I might be that people don't want it because they aren't used to it, but with a choice the non-wonky sells first.