Comments on: The Produce Project: Day 1–Training http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/ a look at how America squanders nearly half of its food Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:08:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Deborah http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-29149 Deborah Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:53:14 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/#comment-29149 One reason that stores give for not marking down produce is that people won't buy the good stuff at all, they'll only look for the marked down product. One grocery chain here keeps the marked down stuff on a rack right inside the back door, and you can open the door and pick some. They do this because most people won't know it's there. One reason that stores give for not marking down produce is that people won’t buy the good stuff at all, they’ll only look for the marked down product. One grocery chain here keeps the marked down stuff on a rack right inside the back door, and you can open the door and pick some. They do this because most people won’t know it’s there.

]]> By: Wasted Food » Blog Archive » The Produce Project: Day 3 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-237 Wasted Food » Blog Archive » The Produce Project: Day 3 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:06:25 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/#comment-237 [...] I recently worked at a supermarket produce department for three months, an endeavor I’ve dubbed The Produce Project. On the first day of work, I got right into the action by tossing more than 50 pounds of ”sell-by” date casualties and watching some computer training videos. [...] [...] I recently worked at a supermarket produce department for three months, an endeavor I’ve dubbed The Produce Project. On the first day of work, I got right into the action by tossing more than 50 pounds of ”sell-by” date casualties and watching some computer training videos. [...]

]]> By: Wasted Food » Blog Archive » The Produce Project: Day 2 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Wasted Food » Blog Archive » The Produce Project: Day 2 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:40:16 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/#comment-44 [...] I recently worked at a supermarket produce department for three months, an endeavor I’ve dubbed The Produce Project. On the first day of work, I got right into the action by tossing more than 50 pounds of ”sell-by” date casualties and watching some computer training videos. [...] [...] I recently worked at a supermarket produce department for three months, an endeavor I’ve dubbed The Produce Project. On the first day of work, I got right into the action by tossing more than 50 pounds of ”sell-by” date casualties and watching some computer training videos. [...]

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Jonathan Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:11:27 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/#comment-30 It's true, I believe that produce with a bad spot or some imperfection still has some value. Some stores agree and keep discounted produce racks. The store at which I worked didn't do much sorting and re-selling mostly because they wanted to give customers the idea that they're selling the freshest product possible. If that means losing some money from produce that could have been sold reduced, they're OK with that. In addition, they'd say it's not worth the time to sort through the culls. The store did train me to throw away produce that was bad, but I'm sure if they thought a candy bar was subpar, they'd toss that, too. After a short time in food retail, apples, candy and everything in between becomes product--items easily bought, sold, or tossed. It’s true, I believe that produce with a bad spot or some imperfection still has some value. Some stores agree and keep discounted produce racks.

The store at which I worked didn’t do much sorting and re-selling mostly because they wanted to give customers the idea that they’re selling the freshest product possible. If that means losing some money from produce that could have been sold reduced, they’re OK with that. In addition, they’d say it’s not worth the time to sort through the culls.

The store did train me to throw away produce that was bad, but I’m sure if they thought a candy bar was subpar, they’d toss that, too. After a short time in food retail, apples, candy and everything in between becomes product–items easily bought, sold, or tossed.

]]> By: Emily http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Emily Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:18:36 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2007/03/29/produce-project-day-1-part-2/#comment-29 Jon, it's interesting to me that the video trains employees on such a simple logic, "would you buy this item?" It shows that the expectation for produce to look perfect is so well established that just about everyone would make the same choices when culling. I know they didn't make the video with you in mind! You don't have a problem coming home with impefect produce. I know you wouldn't pay the same price for the damaged apple as for a pretty one, but if the price were adjusted the bad apple could become quite appealing. So I have a few questions - Why don't stores do more sorting and sell the produce for half price rather than just throw it away? How often, if ever, did you come across produce that was really rotten or so damaged that it made sense to throw it in the garbage? Lastly, remember how strict they were about inventory for things like candy bars? What a contrast -- they basically encourage you to throw away produce, but fire you if you steal a single candy bar. I think that contrast is interesting - but maybe that's more about the grocery store industry and less about food waste. (of course, I think stealing is bad no matter what the item...) Jon, it’s interesting to me that the video trains employees on such a simple logic, “would you buy this item?” It shows that the expectation for produce to look perfect is so well established that just about everyone would make the same choices when culling. I know they didn’t make the video with you in mind! You don’t have a problem coming home with impefect produce. I know you wouldn’t pay the same price for the damaged apple as for a pretty one, but if the price were adjusted the bad apple could become quite appealing. So I have a few questions -
Why don’t stores do more sorting and sell the produce for half price rather than just throw it away?
How often, if ever, did you come across produce that was really rotten or so damaged that it made sense to throw it in the garbage?
Lastly, remember how strict they were about inventory for things like candy bars? What a contrast — they basically encourage you to throw away produce, but fire you if you steal a single candy bar. I think that contrast is interesting – but maybe that’s more about the grocery store industry and less about food waste.
(of course, I think stealing is bad no matter what the item…)

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