Hy-Vee introduces ‘ugly’ produce
To further combat the nation’s food waste issue, Hy-Vee, a retail grocery chain in the Midwestern United States, recently began offering so-called “ugly” produce in nearly all of its 242 grocery stores.
To further combat the nation’s food waste issue, Hy-Vee, a retail grocery chain in the Midwestern United States, recently began offering so-called “ugly” produce in nearly all of its 242 grocery stores. “Ugly” produce is cosmetically challenged fruits and vegetables that would traditionally go unsold due to the industry’s size and shape standards.
Hy-Vee has partnered with Robinson Fresh, one of the largest produce companies in the world, to offer its unique line of Misfits produce. Misfits provides customers more fruit and vegetable variety at a lower cost while also helping to reduce produce waste. Through the program, four to six Misfit items are delivered weekly, based on what is seasonally available, and are sold on average at a 30% discount. Some of the line’s items include peppers, cucumbers, squash, apples, and tomatoes.
Hy-Vee is aligning with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s (USDA) recently announced goal to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030. “We understand that there is product left in the field because farmers don’t think there’s a market for it,” said Hunter Winton, Robinson Fresh general manager. “With the Misfits program, farmers have an outlet to sell more produce and customers have an opportunity to save money and help reduce waste.”