Want to make a difference, support the Earth and feed the hungry? Consider Ugly Food!

Photo courtesy Pete/CC/https://flic.kr/p/f7Xixe

​​Did you know that grocery stores across the country throw away thousands of pounds of perfectly edible food every year? Over 25 percent of edible produce ends up in the trash each year, often because it does not meet the beauty standards that Americans have come to expect from our fresh finds.
 
Fresh and perfectly edible carrots, potatoes, peppers and more are picked around and tossed out based on appearance — all while one in six Americans does not have a secure supply of food. Millions of pounds of food end up rotting in landfills, producing harmful methane emissions.

 
By buying ugly food and encouraging others to do the same, we can reduce food waste, cut back on dangerous emissions and feed thousands of people.
 
Around the nation, ugly food movements have sparked to end this senseless waste. EndFoodWaste.org started the #UglyFruitandVeg campaign earlier this year, encouraging consumers to embrace imperfect produce and putting pressure on grocery chains to sell fruits and veggies of all shapes and sizes. ImperfectProduce.com finds homes for ugly produce by shipping boxes of fresh, imperfect fruits and veggies right to your door. And earlier this year, Whole Foods partnered with Imperfect Produce to test selling ugly produce in stores.
 
Next time you’re browsing your local farmer’s market or produce section, you can do your part by picking up those misshapen tomatoes and warped strawberries and taking them home for an ugly, delicious meal.
 
Keep up with our blog for more tips on reducing food waste, using leftovers and more!