Think about how many times you've picked up a fruit or vegetable to examine its outside appearance. You were undoubtedly trying to ensure that it looked ‘perfect’, regardless of how you intended to use it. However, did you know that ugly produce, such as fruits and vegetables, that are deemed unsuitable for store shelves or bins due to their unconventional appearance, are frequently wasted? Even with their blemished exteriors, they still have great potential.
In this article, you will learn what defines ugly produce and discover 10 awesome ways to use imperfect produce, while reducing food waste.
What Is Ugly Produce?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the term ugly produce is a term that has been used to describe fruits and vegetables that do not meet the strict standards set by the USDA. The USDA categorizes fruits and vegetables into grades based on their appearance. For example, the USDA #1 Grade is considered the highest quality grade for produce, having very few or no imperfections in appearance, size, and shape.1,2 Grade #2 is defined as the imperfect or ugly produce.1,2
At the retail level, there appears to be a notion that the produce should look picture-perfect to encourage purchase and to meet consumer demand for that perfectly shaped produce. If a vegetable or fruit is not uniformly shaped, then it may be considered an oddity and may be thrown out. Carrots, cucumbers, apples, and other produce may be among the many foods that are judged based on the USDA’s grading standards, making their imperfections undesirable.
But are we truly seeing the full picture here? Are we equally responsible for seeking out the perfect fruit or vegetable, even when we're chopping up those oddly shaped carrots or potatoes for a casserole, or peeling marred apples for homemade applesauce?
While many of us continue to search for flawless produce, it's worth considering the value of choosing imperfect options. After all, these "unsightly" fruits and vegetables can still offer great potential and nourishment.
Why the Waste?
During the stages of growing, harvesting, storing, and transporting produce, some waste is unavoidable. For instance, if fruits or vegetables begin to decay, then they are undoubtedly unsafe to eat. However, the appearance of the produce is a completely different aspect where food waste takes place and can be minimized.
Did you know that approximately 40% of fruits and vegetables that are damaged, undersized, or not the ideal color are discarded because they do not meet the standards for many major chain grocery stores and retailers to sell?3 If the grocers and retailers deem these food products as imperfect then they are often rejected, leading to these foods being wasted.
Customers associate quality with appearance, according to studies conducted from the perspective of produce aesthetics. They have a tendency to undervalue ugly goods, such as produce, and are less inclined to buy them if they have flaws. Customers think visually appealing foods are more valuable and healthier than unsightly produce.4
So what can we do as consumers?
10 Ways You Can Use Imperfect Produce
If any of you have ever had a garden of your own or had the privilege of working in the backyard garden with a parent or grandparent then you are aware of the incredible abundance of goodness that nature offers.
If you've ever picked blueberries or strawberries, you know that the only inspection you thought was required was to check for rot, mold, or bugs. If you found any of these, you didn't pick it, and if you did, you didn't eat it.
In any event, here are some amazing ways to use imperfect produce to cut down on waste and methane emissions from decomposing food while still enjoying the nutrients and flavor that Mother Earth has to offer.
- Bake, spread, enjoy. Overripe bananas can be mashed and used as a spread or used to bake banana bread. The same goes for zucchini; it also makes a tasty loaf.
- Can. Use cucumbers to can pickles and can tomatoes for tomato sauce. You can even use green tomatoes to can and pickle them!
- Prepare jam or jelly. Nothing tastes better than savoring some Concord grape jelly, whether you can pick your own grapes in your backyard, or visit a nearby vineyard or farmer's market.
- Include in smoothies. Blend your fruit smoothie with greens like celery, spinach, and kale. Instead of throwing away those not-so-perfect fruits and vegetables, slice and freeze them if you can't use them right away.
- Prepare bruschetta. There’s no better way to use those tomatoes than to chop them up and toss them with some balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and basil (wilted will do).
- Juice. Juicing ugly produce is a win-win situation. These foods are a healthy substitute for sweetened beverages and are often more economical to buy.
- Add to soups. Want something warm and comforting to eat? Consider adding any vegetables that are in the pantry or refrigerator that can be used to make vegetable soup.
- Make applesauce. You can enjoy your own homemade applesauce and make the consistency chunky or smooth.
- Puree. Carrots and other vegetables can be pureed to add new flavor or create a smooth base for various recipes. Additionally, raw vegetables can be pureed to create savory dips, spreads, or refreshing gazpacho soup.
- Create a snack board. Early on, teach your children to value the goodness found in nature's produce. Ask them to arrange the treats you cut up for the family on a platter or serving board. This is an excellent way to involve kids in the cooking process, discuss nutrition, and highlight their amazing abilities!
The Impact Of Vive Organic
We know that nature produces a variety of foods that are wholesome and safe but may be a little out of character for the perfect fruit or vegetable. And who by the way, really cares about the extra dimples in the orange or the crooked ginger root, when it is just as good as the ones that meet the USDA’s standards?
Our Efforts
Here at Vive Organic, we are bursting at the seams to do our part in supporting our local farmers to use that ‘ugly organic produce’ for our organic wellness shots. All of the time, resources, and labor that go into producing and harvesting crops are not considered wasted but rather heralded for its superb food provision.
We also partner with an incredible company called Full Harvest which provides us with quality produce that we use to juice ugly produce.
Our Results
We are positively impacting the environment by using the ugly produce that would normally be thrown into the landfill or left to rot in the fields because we know there is great value in this not-so-perfect produce. The produce we use to juice is safe, nutritious, and meets organic standards too.
By using 100 % ugly produce, we have contributed to our planet by:
- Saving greater than 1 million pounds of produce from being discarded
- Saving about 74,000,000 gallons of water from being used unnecessarily
- Avoiding approximately 432,000 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
From Farm to Door
Continued efforts to embrace all imperfect produce and raise awareness about its value and ways to use it are important. You may be aware of some companies that sell unconventional fruits and vegetables while also reducing food waste and providing economic benefits to both farmers and consumers. Some of these programs offer delivery subscriptions to your home. These imperfect foods are sourced responsibly, contain no GMOs, and are certified organic.
Takeaways
Ugly produce may be part of a viable solution to some of the world's waste issues. We can start reducing food waste and emissions by changing how we buy food. Being less picky because something does not look perfect helps to keep quality, taste, and nutritional value intact.
Get involved locally to see which grocers or supermarkets near you sell ugly produce. Discover how extra produce can always be donated to local food banks or homeless shelters.
Vive Organic shines the light on the beauty of nature provided by our amazing farmers and partners to bring sustainable, organic, non-GMO wellness shots to you while embracing the health of our planet.
Disclaimer: This blog contains promotional content about our products. The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. While the nutritional information and health tips shared here are based on published studies and expert insights, they should not replace advice and treatment from a healthcare professional. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health objectives.
References
- “Grades and Standards | Agricultural Marketing Service.” Usda.gov, 2020 www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards Accessed 27 December 2024.
- Inc, Full Harvest Technologies. “FAQs — Full Harvest.” Www.fullharvest.com, www.fullharvest.com/faqs Accessed 27 December 2024.
- “About Ugly Produce Is Beautiful.” Ugly Produce Is Beautiful!, www.uglyproduceisbeautiful.com/about-ugly-produce-is-beautiful.html Accessed 27 December 2024.
- Chen, Libin et al. “The Effect of Perfectionism on Consumers' Intentions to Purchase Imperfect Products.” Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 13,3 269. 18 Mar. 2023, doi:10.3390/bs13030269.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10045134/
