As consumers we’ve become accustomed to seeing perfectly uniform blemish-free fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. But while aesthetically pleasing produce may be desirable, the reality is that focusing on looks alone leads to a shocking amount of food waste. The truth is, I don’t care about spots on my apples – and neither should you.
Up to 40% of food grown in the U.S. goes uneaten, according to estimates from the Natural Resources Defense Council. Produce is the biggest culprit with retailers rejecting shipments based on exacting cosmetic standards. Fruits and vegetables get culled if they are oddly shaped discolored, or marked by small blemishes. Though still perfectly edible, this imperfect produce gets left in fields or sent to landfills.
The environmental impact of this waste is staggering. Food waste is the largest component of solid waste in U.S. landfills, where it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Growing uneaten food also wastes the water and energy resources that went into production.
Meanwhile, 1 in 8 Americans face food insecurity, lacking consistent access to adequate nutrition. The juxtaposition between the bounty of edible food being discarded and the number of families struggling with hunger highlights a disturbing paradox.
Why the Focus on Flawless Looks
The trend toward unattainable produce perfection is driven largely by retailers. Produce departments play a big role in shaping consumer perceptions and shopping habits. Brightly lit shelves stacked high with pristine identical fruits and vegetables send the message that anything less than gorgeous won’t do.
Retailers enter into cosmetically-based produce contracts with suppliers. These contracts, which may account for up to 75% of produce sold, specify allowable sizes, colors, shapes, and blemishes. Suppliers must deliver fruits and vegetables that adhere to these standards or risk getting rejected and losing the sale. With little choice but to comply, growers end up trashing or leaving behind edible, nutritious produce that doesn’t make the cosmetic cut.
Big supermarket chains argue that their high produce standards meet consumer demand and prevent spoilage. But research suggests otherwise. Surveys indicate that shoppers actually prefer more variety and options that include some minor flaws over perfectly uniform produce. And occasional scars or spots do not affect the nutritional quality or shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Rethinking Our Approach
Several initiatives aim to shift perspectives and practices around edible food that would otherwise get discarded based on looks. Many advocate for a common sense approach that focuses on flavor, freshness and nutrition rather than cosmetic perfection.
Grocery Retailers – A growing number of supermarkets are choosing to relax their produce standards and sell “ugly” fruits and vegetables. Whole Foods and Giant Eagle have experimented with offering imperfect produce at a discount. Meanwhile, some independent grocers have found success selling cosmetically challenged produce without any price reduction. Shopping attitudes are starting to shift as consumers realize that minor blemishes don’t affect taste. Selling imperfect produce helps grocers reduce their waste footprint while offering customers fresh, affordable options.
Produce Suppliers – Distributors like Robinson Fresh are working to divert surplus produce to food banks and soup kitchens. They are also developing product lines of fruits and vegetables that don’t meet supermarkets’ flawless specs but are perfect for use by restaurants, food service operations and processing companies. This prevents edible food from going to waste while opening up new market opportunities.
CSA Box Schemes – Community supported agriculture programs that offer weekly boxes of seasonal produce present a unique opportunity to utilize imperfect fruits and vegetables. Since CSAs provide a direct connection between farms and consumers, they can include odd-shaped or marked-up produce without having to conform to retail standards. CSA customers get the benefit of reduced food waste while enjoying fresh, local produce at its best.
Farmers Markets – Growers selling directly to shoppers at farmers markets have more flexibility to offer produce with quirks. Consumers drawn to farmers markets tend to be more accepting of variations in shape, size, and color when they know it comes straight from the farm. Farmers who transparently sell their edible but less than picture perfect produce help make buyers comfortable with imperfections.
Ugly Produce Subscription Boxes – New companies like Imperfect Foods and Misfits Market are tapping into consumer willingness to purchase cosmetically challenged produce. They offer direct delivery of discounted ugly produce subscription boxes. Purchasing a box helps reduce food waste on farms and puts surplus edible produce to positive use.
I Don’t Care About Spots on My Apples
A pear with a dent, an oddly shaped carrot, a spotted apple – these are minor blemishes that do not affect nutritional value or culinary use in any way. In fact, some theorize that imperfect fruits and vegetables may have higher phytochemical levels as the plant works to repair damage and defend against pests.
It’s time to get over our obsession with produce perfection and focus on reducing food waste. I don’t care about spots on my apples, and you shouldn’t either. Choosing ugly produce is an easy way we can make a positive difference and create a more sustainable, equitable food system. Food is too precious to waste based solely on looks.
Planting and caring for young trees
Learn how to choose a location, prepare for planting and space trees.
Apple trees require full sun, so choose a spot where the sun shines directly on the tree for at least 8 hours each day.
When it comes to soil, apple trees can grow in most soils as long as there is no standing water and the pH of the soil is between 6 and 7.
- Have your soil tested to determine pH
- pH of the soil should be between 6 and 7
- Apple trees can grow in most soils as long as there is no standing water
- Avoid planting in areas where water stands for several hours after a rain
If you are unsure about your soil pH, conduct a soil test to determine soil conditions before planting and amend the soil as suggested by the results.
How much space do you need for apple trees? A good rule of thumb for a garden fruit tree is to provide at least as much horizontal space as the anticipated height of the tree. So, if your tree will grow up to 8 feet high, make sure there are 8 feet between it and the next tree.
Planting trees too close together will increase shading and reduce the number and quality of the fruit coming from your tree.
- Standard trees: 20-25 feet
- Semi-dwarf trees: 12-15 feet
- Dwarf trees: 6-8 feet
- Dig a hole for each tree that is no deeper than the root ball, and about twice as wide.
- When you dig the soil out of the hole, pile it on a tarp or piece of plywood so its easier to get it back in the hole.
- You may mix in up to one-third by volume compost, peat moss or other organic matter.
- Most of what goes back in the planting hole should be the soil you took out of the hole.
- There is no need to add fertilizer to the hole.
- If you purchased bare root trees, closely examine the root system and remove encircling roots or J-shaped roots that could eventually strangle the trunk.
- For trees in containers, inspect the root systems for encircling woody roots.
- If woody roots are wrapped around in a circle, straighten them or make several cuts through the root ball prior to planting.
- This helps the plant produce a stronger root system and prevents the formation of girdling roots that eventually weaken the tree.
- Position each tree so that the graft union is about 4 inches above the soil line. The graft union is a swelling where the variety meets the rootstock.
- If the graft union is placed close to or below the soil line, the variety (scion) will root, causing trees to grow to full size.
- Spread the roots of bare root trees, making sure none are bent.
- Have someone help you get the tree standing up straight.
- Begin adding the soil, tamping to remove air pockets as you go.
- After the hole is filled, tamp gently and water thoroughly to remove remaining air pockets.
- The soil may settle an inch or two. If this happens, add more soil.
Two trees can provide plenty of apples
Apples are pollinated by insects, with bees and flies transferring pollen from flowers of one apple tree to those of another. But you dont need to plant a whole orchard to enjoy apples right off the tree. Two trees will reward any family with enough fruit to enjoy and share with friends.
Apples require pollen from a different apple variety to grow fruit. If you only have room in your yard for one tree, there may be crab apples in your neighborhood to provide the pollen your tree needs.
Most apple trees are grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks and only grow to be about 8-10 feet tall. So even if youre short on space, you probably have space for two trees.
Bug Free Apples & Pears – Thinning & Spraying Routine
FAQ
What is the meaning behind the song “Big Yellow Taxi”?
“Big Yellow Taxi” is an environmentalist anthem that critiques environmental destruction and excessive urban development. Mitchell wrote the song on a trip to Hawai’i, where she noticed a huge parking lot that tarnished the natural beauty of the islands in the middle of the northern Pacific Ocean.
Why do I have brown spots on my apples?
Bitter pit in apples. Bitter pit is a common disorder that causes dark spots on apples late in the season or in storage.
Who sang Big Yellow Taxi in Two Weeks Notice?
Big Yellow Taxi (From “Two Weeks Notice”) – song and lyrics by Counting Crows | Spotify.