Choose the Wonky Fruit
Fruits and veggies come in all shapes and sizes! However, when we’re grocery shopping, we often try to choose the most perfect looking fruit and veggies. This is one reason that 40% of the food grown in the US gets wasted. Food waste creates harmful methane emissions and wastes natural resources. You can help by choosing the wonky fruits and veggies!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
When we waste food we also waste all the resources that went into producing it. Every year in the US, 30 million acres of farmland and 4.2 trillion gallons of water are used to grow food that never gets eaten. Instead, it rots in landfills and creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
Embrace the wonky! By choosing to purchase imperfect fruits and vegetables, you’ll help reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
1Choose wonky fruits and vegetables
Buy from local farms. Not only is the farmers market a great place to find wonky fruits and vegetables, you’ll also support local farmers and get the freshest produce. Many local farmers will also deliver produce boxes straight to your door! Find your local farmers market here, and find farms that offer subscription purchase and delivery options here. Be sure to tell them you would like to include wonky fruits and veggies in your purchase!
Support local grocery stores. Small local markets often stock imperfect fruits and veggies that are rejected by major supermarket chains. If you don’t see imperfect options, take a moment to talk with your local store manager to let them know you are interested in purchasing imperfect produce. Some supermarkets chains are also starting to embrace wonky produce, and a few even have discount programs. Encourage this trend and support stores that offer wonky produce!
Get it delivered. Several companies have started sourcing imperfect foods from farms and selling them through delivery subscription boxes, often at discounted prices. Check to see if any services deliver to your area:
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Imperfect Food delivers on the West Coast, in the Midwest and the Northeast
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Misfits Market delivers throughout the East Coast and Southeast
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Hungry Harvest delivers to most metro areas on the East Coast
2Tips for using wonky fruits and veggies
- Fruits: throw it in a blender or use it for baking or preserves
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Veggies: grate it, dice it or chop it and put it in a soup, stew or frittata
Extra credit: Celebrate wonky fruit and veggies and highlight them! Put them front and center in your recipes and help educate others that wonky fruits and veggies are just as beautiful and delicious as any fruit or veggie!