UGLY FOOD PILOT PROJECT READY TO GO

Whole Foods Market will begin a pilot project later this spring offering “ugly” produce for sale in certain California stores. Whole Foods already uses this produce in its prepared foods, but it intends to put the produce on display and sell it with other fruits and vegetables. The goal is to reduce food going to waste, which the USDA estimates affects approximately one-third of the total food supply. Supermarkets in Europe and Australia already successfully sell “imperfect” produce. In addition to Whole Foods’ project, several companies and nonprofits in the U.S. are seeking to make this produce available at below-supermarket prices. One, located outside of Boston, has experienced enough success to consider expansion to other areas.

Source: CT Office of Legislative Research, 3/29/16, Ugly Food