Which supermarkets are reducing food waste by promoting ‘wonky veg’?
THIS week, Asda launched the UK’s first ever ‘wonky veg box’ which sells
imperfect products in bulk at a reduced price.
The bargain box costs just £3.50, encouraging healthy eating while also
helping to cut food waste.
As Asda’s new deal has gone down a treat, here’s a run-down of what other
supermarkets are doing to promote the ‘ugly’ vegetable phenomenon...
Aldi
Supermarket giant Aldi shifts imperfect veg through their Everyday Essentials
range.
In January 2014, Aldi were able to sell more than 34,000 tonnes of potatoes
that would have been thrown away if they weren’t included in the
‘essentials’ deal.
This year, Aldi are also attempting to relax vegetable specification
guidelines for carrots and onions, which will reduce how many get thrown
away.
In a statement to The Huffington Post, a spokesperson for Aldi said:
“We sell a variety of fruit and vegetables with different shapes and skin
finishes, including peppers, mushrooms, onions, and apples. These products
are available in all stores and are cheaper than our other core range fruit
and vegetable products.”
Co-op
The Co-operative has over 3,750 high street branches in the UK and has taken
steps towards releasing more misshapen fruit and veg.
In 2012, Kate Jones, head of product development, said: "Great-tasting
but odd-shaped or 'ugly' fruit and vegetables will be included in selected
lines to maximise use of the crop available.
“At the same time, we will continue to do all we can to remain competitive on
price for our customers."
Morrisons
Morrisons noticed a large uptake in sales when they trialled stocking “wonky”
seasonal vegetables in stores last Christmas.
After officials from the supermarket chain watched Hugh’s War on Waste, they
pledged that they would attempt to cut food waste.
Despite their agreement to promote more ‘ugly’ food, Hugh
Fearnley-Whittingstall branded their efforts as “pathetic”.
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Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s are pushing wonky veg through their basics line, which offers
products at a more purse-friendly price.
In a statement released by Judith Batchelar in 2012, Sainsbury’s said: “We
hope customers will help us all make the most of the British crop and reduce
food waste in spite of its sometimes unusual appearance.
“Meanwhile, we’ll be using ‘ugly’ fruit and veg in our products, for example
in our ready-prepared salads, the potato mash in our ready meals or the
filling in our bakery products.”
Tesco
Tesco is Britain’s biggest supermarket and they claim to be making strides in
pushing imperfect veg in their stores.
Food that falls in the Everyday Value category will often contain ‘ugly’ fruit
and vegetables.
In 2013, Matt Simister, food sourcing director of Tesco, revealed: "We
can put more misshapen products through our value range at better prices,
we've been doing that for years. There are opportunities to do more.
"It's less easy to be flexible with the standard ranges, but we can be
more flexible with the product that flushes through the stores at a good
price for customers."