Ugly produce gets its big break

[Atomoa]

http://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2 ... waste.html

Ugly and disfigured fruit and vegetables are now getting their turn in the supermarket spotlight. To curb the unnecessary food waste in Canada, Loblaw Companies Ltd. is selling misshapen apples and potatoes at a 30 per cent discount at Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills stores in Ontario and Maxi stores in Quebec. The unwanted, cast-off produce is being stocked next to its esthetically appealing counterparts — but sold at a more attractive price, Loblaws says.

More than $31 billion worth of food is wasted in Canada every year, according to the Value Chain Management International report published in December.

Loblaws hopes its new campaign, called No Name Naturally Imperfect, will have a three-pronged effect: Lowering the cost of healthy food options for customers, improving revenue returns for struggling famers and combating food waste.

This is a really great idea. Pretty sobering to think that 31 billion dollars worth of ugly food ends up in the trash while people starve. It's food not a fashion show.

[flamingfingers]

THAT is a good idea!!

If you are fortunate enough to have a garden, do you throw away a 2-legged carrot? A cob of corn that is missing a row of kernels? It is all nutritious food and at 30% off, I am sure that people would not disdain an irregular potato, a crooked carrot or a head of lettuce with hail damage to its leaves?

[oneh2obabe]

Took Canadian grocers long enough to implement the program. It was featured in the May 2014 issue of Canadian Grocer.

Intermarché is pushing produce that would have been tossed with clever TV ads, and in-store POS.

In-store, France’s third largest retailer put the ugly produce into their own supermarket aisles, featuring separate labelling and even a separate listing on the receipt.

Results following the campaign showed a 60% increase in traffic to the retailer’s fruit and vegetables section and a 24% uptick in overall store traffic.

http://www.canadiangrocer.com/worth-rea ... -pos-41007

[Bubalouie]

*removed*

[Bubalouie]

Well this won't be an issue with a certain store in town as their produce is already "ugly".

[oneh2obabe]

Really? You'd be surprised where the stores get their produce. As for the one you're talking about, nothing wrong with the produce if you know what to look for.

[Captain Awesome]

Don't see it working to be honest.

[Bubalouie]

A friend's son worked there in produce, told us they ordered the cheapest available so in other words "seconds.
Not sure what they do know but we've looked every time in there and most of it wouldn't buy.

[jimmy4321]

When ugly veggies start selling well, they will slowly creep up the prices. The good looking veggies will then be at a premium.

[Bsuds]

Just seems lately that produce is higher priced and poorer quality no mater where you go.