U.S. Turns Its Attention To Innovative Ways To Reduce Food Waste

Retail grocers and entrepreneurs in the U.S. are following the lead of their colleagues in Europe who are endeavoring to reduce food waste by making it okay to buy “ugly” foods. Whole Foods Market and Giant Eagle, for example, have introduced malformed carrots, oranges with protruding navels, and blemished pomegranates in their stores to get customers used to the idea that ugly produce is edible and need not be dumped in the trash. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs are developing business ideas that focus on ways to recover edible but unappealing produce and distribute it to the needy. One company is working on ways to turn fresh, but unappealing, fish into healthful jerky. Food activist Danielle Nierenberg says, “A lot of the innovation is going to come from companies, and that is exciting,”