'Ugly' cheaper fruit and veg coming to Bay of Plenty

Misshapen carrots. A supermarket's initiative to make "ugly" produce available at a reduced price has been welcomed. Photo/file

A supermarket's initiative to make "ugly" produce available at a reduced price has been welcomed by grower representatives, budget advisers and charity groups in Tauranga.

Countdown general manager merchandise Chris Fisher said the supermarket's The Odd Bunch initiative was the first of its kind in New Zealand. It was about reducing food waste, supporting growers by taking more of their crop, and helping to make healthy food more affordable, he said.

"There are any number of reasons why produce might look a little unusual, from growing at an odd angle to being affected by the weather," he said.

"It still tastes great and is just as nutritious as regular produce. [We] can help our suppliers sell produce that may not have typically made it to supermarket shelves and we think many shoppers will forgive a little ugliness to help combat food waste and save."

A Tauranga-based charity also finds uses for food that might otherwise be thrown out.

Good Neighbour's food rescue arm collects food from supermarkets, bakeries, cafes and growers that was still good enough to eat but destined for landfill and distributes it to some 40 charities around Tauranga.

John Paine, food rescue manager for Good Neighbour Tauranga, said Countdown's idea was a great initiative.

"We see a lot of fruit that is perfectly good to eat, but doesn't make it or isn't available for people to consume or purchase," he said. "A lot of fruit just goes to waste. There's so much of it out there, particularly in large grower areas like the Bay of Plenty."

Mr Paine said local producers often struggled to sell fruit and vegetables that did not make the grade cosmetically, and risked becoming unviable and going out of business.

"We end up then trucking in produce from other regions. Any initiative to sell fruit and produce that doesn't look that good, but is still healthy, is fabulous. And a lot of it is wonderfully tasty."

Mike Chapman, chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, said a lot of good fruit and vegetables were thrown away or fed to cattle when they could be sold, making a return for the growers and offered to consumers at a slightly cheaper price.

"Countdown is making food available that would not otherwise be in their stores," he said.

"They developed this programme because there is a range of fruit and vegetables that, while they might be cosmetically unattractive, are perfectly good inside. From our point of view, anything that gets more people eating fruit and vegetables is fantastic."

Tauranga Budget Advisory Service manager Diane Bruin said her organisation encouraged people to buy fruit and vegetables.

"I think it's a great initiative. Anything that's a little bit cheaper and can give people more healthy food is always good."

The Odd Bunch

• First produce: hail-damaged stone fruit and carrots
• Availability: based on supply, and stock will vary from store to store.