Ugly FRUIT and wonky VEGETABLES - FRUTAS feas y HORTALIZAS torcidas

A Reality Check on the food we waste because it doesn't look perfect.

n

Zurückspulen

Each year, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted. But how much of this is down to us rejecting food because we simply don’t like the look of what we see; maybe the carrots aren’t so smooth or straight, the bananas don’t look as ripe and the tomatoes appear a bit off colour. So we don’t buy them, or the manufacturers won’t even select them to appear in the supermarkets and these products get thrown on the scrapheap.

dpa/Tobias Hase

However, the less than pure looking fruit and vegetables are very often just as fresh, edible and nourishing as the more aesthetically pleasing variety. And we are adding to that global pile of food waste simply by putting that rather bendy looking courgette back on the shelf.

I spoke with Rhi Willmot, a researcher in Behavioural and Positive Psychology, at Bangor University in the UK. During her master’s degree in Consumer Psychology she opened a pop-up shop selling 'ugly' fruit and vegetables.

So what did you discover about what we reject and why?

An important point here is that many people don’t actually realise how much is being wasted. I set up a pop-up shop selling ugly fruit and vegetables last year, it gave us the chance to talk to consumers and it left us feeling astounded about how much food was being rejected not because there was anything wrong with it, but simply that it looked slightly funny.

Tell us more about that ‘ugly’ food shop.

Along with a friend, and we are not expert food sellers or anything like that, but we hooked up with a local company and they brought us all of the ugly foods that weren’t being sold by the local supermarkets and we got quite a range of things; we came across things that were just slightly mis-shapen so carrots with two legs, wonky strawberries that looked a bit weird, there was all kind of foodstuffs we took in.

Is it supermarkets or just the customers dictating the desire for the perfect potato of the most beautiful looking carrot?

Probably both. We do have natural impulses to look favourably on things that are naturally symmetrical or unblemished. So I think when people are shopping for food it is generally things that are not so perfect that get left on the shelves. And supermarkets have done a lot to enhance that notion. There’s no need to produce so much fruit and vegetables and then only select the best out of that. At the end of the day, ugly fruit & vegetables are generally perfectly OK to eat and I think people would be much happier to think that there isn’t such a huge amount of food being wasted, whilst putting a funny looking vegetable in their basket.

dpa-Zentralbild/Britta Pedersen

Can we relate any of this to theories of human attraction?

Most theories of human attraction tend to suggest we find people with symmetrical features more attractive, than people with asymmetries. That’s thought to be because it had been assumed that physical asymmetries came about through diseases occurring during physical development. So the idea is that evolutionary, it is better to select a mate with a symmetrical face since that signifies they have healthier genes and any offspring are likelier to be more healthy. I think you can see some parallels between those theories and our choices of fuit and vegetables. But the evolutionary advantages aren’t relevant to fruit and vegetables. So we may have those underlying preferences for symmetry in mate selection. However, in the context of selecting fruit and vegetables, symmetry doesn’t provide any advantages.

Do you think the future is a yes to wonky veg and ugly fruit?

Yes, I hope so. I think a huge benefit I see is that more and more people are becoming aware of the wastage of what’s going on. Once that awareness takes hold, there could be real pressure on the supermarkets to start selling these ugly foodstuffs. I hope that the current awareness is not just a fad with people getting excited and the trend tailing off.

Source (with audio): http://fm4.orf.at/stories/1769126/

Los supermercados en Francia obligados a donar los ALIMENTOS que no vendan - Supermarkets in France obliged to donate the FOOD they do not sell

Foto de http://cdn-media-1.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2015/05/French-supermarket.jpg

Francia se ha convertido en el primer país del mundo que prohíbe a los supermercados tirar o destruir los alimentos que no vendan. En lugar de eso, serán obligados por ley a donarlos a organizaciones benéficas y bancos de alimentos, que serán las encargadas de distribuirlos entre los necesitados.

La ley es la respuesta del Gobierno francés a una campaña puesta en marcha en los últimos meses por Arash Derambarsh, de 35 años, un concejal del municipio de Courbevoie, suburbio al noroeste de París, quién calificó de “escandaloso y absurdo” el desperdicio de comida por parte de los suoermercados.

A la iniciativa del joven político le sucedieron protestas de consumidores y activistas contra la pobreza. Según sus cálculos, en Francia se echan a perder 7 millones de toneladas de alimentos al año. Los activistas esperan ahora persuadir a la UE a adoptar una legislación similar en todos los estados miembros

La normativa ha sido aprobada por unanimidad por el Senado francés y entrará en vigor el próximo miércoles. A partir de entonces, los supermercados no podrán almacenar comida de buena calidad que se acerque a su fecha de caducidad. En su lugar, firmarán convenios de colaboración con organizaciones benéficas, que podrán multiplicar el número de comidas gratuitas que distribuyen cada día.

Se prevén multas de hasta 75.000 euros para los supermercados que destruyan deliberadamente los alimentos con el fin de evitar que sean recuperados por las personas que los recogen de los contenedores próximos a las tiendas. En los últimos años ha crecido en Francia el número de familias, estudiantes, desempleados y personas sin hogar que se alimentan de los productos que recogen de la basura.

Según algunos informes, ciertos supermercados rocían con lejía los alimentos que tiran a la basura para evitar para impedir que sean aprovechados por otras personas. Otros establecimientos almacenan la comida sobrante en depósitos cerrados para su recogida directa por parte camiones de basura.

Jacques Bailet, jefe de Banques Alimentaires (bancos de alimentos), una red nacional de bancos de alimentos, describe la ley como “positiva y muy importante simbólicamente”. “Lo más importante es que los supermercados estarán obligados a firmar un acuerdo de donación con organizaciones benéficas, y así seremos capaces de aumentar la calidad y la diversidad de la comida que distribuimos”, dijo. Estas entidades y las organizaciones de caridad también tendrán obligaciones que cumplir: recoger y almacenar los alimentos en condiciones higiénicas y distribuirlos adecuadamente.

Fuentes: http://www.lavanguardia.com and http://www.portalfruticola.com

Using SUPERMARKETS as extensions of our own fridges? - Usando a los SUPERMERCADOS como extensiones de nuestras propias neveras (refrigeradores, heladeras)?

A taste for convenience could be changing the way Australians shop for vegetables, according to peak industry body AUSVEG, with new research finding that consumers are increasingly buying vegetables in formats that suit their immediate needs with little left over.

Photo from http://www.cultilene.com

The latest Project Harvest report, released by consumer research group Colmar Brunton, has found that an increase in sales of small pre-packaged vegetables and individual vegetables over the last eight months has been matched by a drop in larger pre-packaged formats. “Many consumers are mindful of not wanting to buy more vegetables than they’re going to use, and we’re seeing this in the latest research,” said AUSVEG spokesperson, Mr Kurt Hermann.

“These findings really reflect the fact that some Australians are treating supermarkets like extensions of their own fridges,” said Mr Hermann. “When they go vegetable shopping, these consumers are only planning a couple of meals ahead, because they’ll return in a night or two. This means that they’re looking for portion sizes that they can grab, use immediately and have nothing left over. In some cases this leads them to buying loose leaves, or convenient formats like salad trays and small pre-packaged bags. In other cases, it means they’re only looking to buy one or two broccoli heads or chillies instead of a full tray.”

The report has also identified that wanting to avoid waste is preventing many consumers from buying more fresh vegetables, including staples like peas and broccoli. It’s a particular concern around lettuce purchases, with nearly 40% of shoppers saying they don’t buy more lettuce because they don’t want to waste any. The amount of consumers buying individual lettuce leaves has more than doubled since March this year, and now constitutes a full quarter of shoppers. Meanwhile, the amount of consumers buying large pre-packaged bags of lettuce leaves has dropped by more than a third since November last year.

“Australian growers could capitalise on this trend by offering consumer-driven products, like pre-packing fresh vegetables in single-meal servings, either by themselves or mixed together,” said Mr Hermann. “By offering vegetables to shoppers in easy-to-enjoy formats, the vegetable industry could help Australians make healthy diet choices and increase overall vegetable consumption.”

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australian vegetable and potato growers. Project Harvest is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Source: http://www.hydroponics.com.au

US' first-ever national FOOD WASTE reduction goal - Por primera vez EEUU se propone una meta nacional de reducción del DESPERDICIO DE ALIMENTOS

Source: http://archive.onearth.org

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Stan Meiburg announced the United States' first-ever national food waste reduction goal, calling for a 50% reduction by 2030. As part of the effort, the federal government will lead a new partnership with charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, the private sector and local, state and tribal governments to reduce food loss and waste in order to improve overall food security and conserve our nation's natural resources. The announcement occurs just one week before world leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to address sustainable development practices, including sustainable production and consumption. As the global population continues to grow, so does the need for food waste reduction.

"The United States enjoys the most productive and abundant food supply on earth, but too much of this food goes to waste," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "An average family of four leaves more than two million calories, worth nearly $1500, uneaten each year. Our new reduction goal demonstrates America's leadership on a global level in in getting wholesome food to people who need it, protecting our natural resources, cutting environmental pollution and promoting innovative approaches for reducing food loss and waste."

Food loss and waste in the United States accounts for approximately 31 percent—or 133 billion pounds—of the overall food supply available to retailers and consumers and has far-reaching impacts on food security, resource conservation and climate change. Food loss and waste is single largest component of disposed U.S. municipal solid waste, and accounts for a significant portion of U.S. methane emissions. Landfills are the third largest source of methane in the United States. Furthermore, experts have projected that reducing food losses by just 15 percent would provide enough food for more than 25 million Americans every year, helping to sharply reduce incidences of food insecurity for millions.

"Let's feed people, not landfills. By reducing wasted food in landfills, we cut harmful methane emissions that fuel climate change, conserve our natural resources, and protect our planet for future generations" said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "Today's announcement presents a major environmental, social and public health opportunity for the U.S., and we're proud to be part of a national effort to reduce the food that goes into landfills."

Ongoing federal initiatives are already building momentum for long-term success. In 2013, USDA and EPA launched the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, creating a platform for leaders and organizations across the food chain to share best practices on ways to reduce, recover, and recycle food loss and waste. By the end of 2014, the U.S. Food Waste Challenge had over 4,000 active participants, well surpassing its initial goal of reaching 1,000 participants by 2020.

In addition to the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, USDA has unveiled several food loss reduction initiatives over the past few years, including an app to help consumers safely store food and understand food date labels, new guidance to manufacturers on donating misbranded or sub-spec foods, and research on innovative technologies to make reducing food loss and waste cost effective. USDA will build on these successes with additional initiatives targeting food loss and waste reduction throughout its programs and policies.

In addition, today, USDA is launching a new consumer education campaign through its Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion with information on food loss and waste facts and reduction tips. Moreover, a new section on ChooseMyPlate.gov will educate consumers about reducing food waste to help stretch household budgets.

USDA and EPA will also continue to encourage the private sector—food service companies, institutions, restaurants, grocery stores, and more—to set their own aggressive goals for reducing food loss and waste in the months ahead. Organizations such as the Consumer Goods Forum, which recently approved a new resolution to halve food waste within the operations of its 400 retailer and manufacturers members by 2025, are helping to lead the way.

The United States is leading global efforts to address the threat of climate change. The first-ever national food waste goal is just one part of the Obama Administration's commitment to protecting our environment for future generations. Since President Obama took office in 2009, the US has increased solar generation by more than ten-fold, tripled electricity production from wind power, and reduced greenhouse gas pollution in the US to its lowest levels in nearly 20 years. By setting achievable environmental goals, this Administration is making strides to help boost the economy and protect the health of American families for the long-term.

Source: http://www.usda.gov

Cada año se desperdician 100 millones de toneladas de COMIDA en la Unión Europea - Each year 100 million tons of FOOD are wasted in the European Union

Existen dos tendencias a la hora de comprar frutas y verduras. La primera es ir al supermercado y detenerse frente al estante de la pieza más hermosa; elegir, de entre ellas, la que destaca aún más, por brillante y colorida. La segunda consiste en comprar en tiendas de barrio o ecológicas, también en supermercados, pero sin reparar en el aspecto físico del alimento: ¿qué más da que sea fea, si sabe bien? Los que pertenecen al segundo grupo (los menos) están implicándose activamente en la lucha contra el desperdicio de alimentos, que según Food Waste, de la Comisión Europea, se cifra en casi 100 millones de toneladas al año en la UE (con una previsión de 120 millones para 2020). Algunos supermercados también se suman a la batalla.

La zanahoria fea: en una sopa, ¿a quién le importa?

Comer con los ojos. Eva Gosenje, nutricionista y miembro de la comisión de formación de la Fundación Española de Dietistas-Nutricionistas (FEDN), lo tiene claro: “Comemos por los ojos, lo que nos entra por la vista. Elegir los alimentos solo por la buena pinta se nos ha ido de las manos”. De la misma opinión es Alma Palau, presidenta del Consejo General de Dietistas-Nutricionistas de España (CGDNE): “Nos dejamos llevar mucho por la estética”. Hasta el punto, explica, que un proyecto puesto en marcha en algunos colegios de Alicante para evitar que se fueran a la basura frutas y verduras feas, acabó fracasando. “Queríamos apostar por una alimentación más sostenible y optamos en varios comedores por verduras y frutas ecológicas, piezas más pequeñas y con menos presencia. El resultado fue que, después de mucho tiempo y esfuerzo, tanto los niños como los padres se quejaron, y al final exigieron que las verduras y frutas fueran todas iguales, de forma perfecta”. Pero los expertos insisten: el aspecto no influye en su calidad nutricional.

Se tira lo más barato. El fin de estas acciones es evitar el desperdicio injustificado de alimentos. Según una encuesta de la OCU realizada a 1.287 consumidores, en el 70% de los hogares se tira menos del 5% de la comida, pero en un 14% de los hogares se tira más del 10%, lo que supone “mucha comida, con el consiguiente gasto”, según la organización de consumidores. ¿Y qué es lo que más se tira? Lo más barato, según el estudio: frutas y verduras (6%), pan y bollería (4%), carne y pescado (3%) y alimentos procesados (2%). 

La patata ‘ridícula’ y el limón ‘fracasado’. En Francia, sin embargo, la campaña Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables (Frutas y verduras sin gloria) ha sido todo un éxito. La cadena de supermercados Intermarché, con más de 1.800 tiendas, la puso en marcha hace un año para probar si los consumidores estaban dispuestos a comprar este tipo de alimentos que no estaban impecables a precios reducidos (hasta de un 30% de descuento). ¿Cómo de imperfectos? En el vídeo de la campaña, Intermarché no deja lugar a dudas. Ahí desfilan The Grotesque Apple (la manzana grotesca), The Disfigured Aubergine (berenjena desfigurada), The Ugly Carrot (zanahoria fea), The Failed Lemon (limón fracasado), The Hideous Orange (horrible naranja) y The Ridiculous Potato (patata ridícula). “Estas frutas y verduras pueden ser feas, pero son tan sabrosas como las perfectas visualmente”, valora Patrice de Villiers, fotógrafa de la campaña.

La Berenjena Desfigurada: tan barata, que podría estarlo más.

¿De quién es responsabilidad? De la cadena por la que pasa el alimento, desde su inicio hasta el consumidor, según las voces consultadas. “Parte de la culpa la tiene el consumidor que no quiere comprar frutas y verduras con alguna marca; pero también el agricultor que hace una primera selección desechando las que no están bonitas porque sabe que no se las van a comprar; luego, los intermediarios y las grandes superficies, que se esfuerzan por presentarlas lo más bonito posible utilizando, por ejemplo, ceras en las manzanas para que brillen más. Y también hace mucha falta que se promuevan campañas de sensibilización. Siempre se ha comido la fruta que se caía del árbol y luego vamos al súper y compramos la más brillante”, critica Gosenje.

‘Cuerpazos’ y consumidores exigentes. La portavoz de la Asociación de Empresarios Mayoristas de Frutas de Mercamadrid, Susana Carrizosa, indica que los minoristas “no compran nada que tenga mala pinta porque los consumidores lo requieren. Las tiendas de frutas no quieren nada que no tenga cuerpazo. Además, hay que añadir que a los españoles nos gustan los calibres grandes. El consumidor español es muy exigente, está formado en cuestiones de gastronomía, y no quiere productos que no estén perfectos”.

¿Qué pasa con las propiedades nutricionales de una fruta o verdura imperfecta? La respuesta en unánime. “Son comestibles al 100% y las propiedades están intactas”, admiten las asociaciones de nutricionistas. De hecho, Mercamadrid, el gran mercado central que abastece a los comercios de la capital, destina toda esa mercancía que desecha porque ningún comprador quiere (a pesar de haber pasado los controles de calidad) a la Fundación Banco de Alimentos de Madrid, que la distribuye gratuitamente a distintos colectivos desfavorecidos. También, se suele utilizar para fabricar mermeladas, zumos, potitos, yogures o batidos. Como claman en Intermarché, La zanahoria fea: en una sopa, ¿a quién le importa? o El limón fallido, del mismo creador del limón.

Fuente: José Díaz de Tuesta (http://elpais.com)