Comments on: Ugliness Is Only Skin Deep http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/ a look at how America squanders nearly half of its food Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:08:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Christy http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-147495 Christy Tue, 19 May 2009 01:48:07 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-147495 Celeriac! Celeriac!

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-145100 Jonathan Fri, 15 May 2009 17:17:26 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-145100 Angela--thanks for reminding me of that hilarious side plot from the great Cheers. In another life, when I used to write about television, I interviewed John Ratzenberger aka "Cliffy." I'm not sure he was acting all those years... William B--That potato wasn't in any sort of damaged bin, just the regular one. Then again, that store doesn't have a discount produce area. Like you, I always look there first when I'm in stores that have them. Angela–thanks for reminding me of that hilarious side plot from the great Cheers. In another life, when I used to write about television, I interviewed John Ratzenberger aka “Cliffy.” I’m not sure he was acting all those years…

William B–That potato wasn’t in any sort of damaged bin, just the regular one. Then again, that store doesn’t have a discount produce area. Like you, I always look there first when I’m in stores that have them.

]]> By: WilliamB http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-144995 WilliamB Fri, 15 May 2009 14:51:19 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-144995 That counted as a damaged potato? No way. Cutting bad spots off is normal. (I'm probably preaching to the choir.) I miss the produce shop near where I lived, many a year ago. They had a bin for "damaged" produce. Since that was my year of living dangerously close to broke, that bin was a favorite of mine. Old potatoes are perfect for soup and chowda, veggies past their prime great for soup and omlets and fine for stir fries, and many in the bin were fine except for a spot or two. I wish the big stores had bins like that. That counted as a damaged potato? No way. Cutting bad spots off is normal. (I’m probably preaching to the choir.) I miss the produce shop near where I lived, many a year ago. They had a bin for “damaged” produce. Since that was my year of living dangerously close to broke, that bin was a favorite of mine. Old potatoes are perfect for soup and chowda, veggies past their prime great for soup and omlets and fine for stir fries, and many in the bin were fine except for a spot or two.

I wish the big stores had bins like that.

]]> By: Angela http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-144143 Angela Thu, 14 May 2009 18:27:08 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-144143 I think it was Cliff Claven on the tv show Cheers from the 80s who looked for faces of famous people on potatoes. I remember he found Nixon- probably any potato looks kind of like Nixon. Who knew vegetables were so funny? I think it was Cliff Claven on the tv show Cheers from the 80s who looked for faces of famous people on potatoes. I remember he found Nixon- probably any potato looks kind of like Nixon.

Who knew vegetables were so funny?

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-143431 Jonathan Thu, 14 May 2009 02:22:48 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-143431 Oh yeah, good call Rinchen. There are even things called "Ugly Tomatoes." http://www.seedfest.co.uk/resources/ugly-tomatoes.html Oh yeah, good call Rinchen. There are even things called “Ugly Tomatoes.”

http://www.seedfest.co.uk/resources/ugly-tomatoes.html

]]> By: Rinchen http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-143404 Rinchen Thu, 14 May 2009 01:53:27 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-143404 I am surprised that nobody has mentioned tomatoes. the ugliest ones are the tastiest! I am surprised that nobody has mentioned tomatoes. the ugliest ones are the tastiest!

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-143331 Jonathan Thu, 14 May 2009 00:14:07 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-143331 Dan, Dan, Dan. Did you just subtly call me squeamish? Just kidding, but trust me, I'm not. I just shed a tear for those misshapen eggplants. Now why would anyone do that? As for the book...I don't know about a glimpse, but suffice it say it will examine how and why we waste food at all levels of the food chain and suggest remedies for the problem. And hopefully do so in detail while being entertaining. How's that sound? Kristen--happy produce shape watching! Dan, Dan, Dan. Did you just subtly call me squeamish? Just kidding, but trust me, I’m not.
I just shed a tear for those misshapen eggplants. Now why would anyone do that?

As for the book…I don’t know about a glimpse, but suffice it say it will examine how and why we waste food at all levels of the food chain and suggest remedies for the problem. And hopefully do so in detail while being entertaining. How’s that sound?

Kristen–happy produce shape watching!

]]> By: Kristen@The Frugal Girl http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-143110 Kristen@The Frugal Girl Wed, 13 May 2009 19:43:12 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-143110 LOL about the baby's butt thing. I cut bad/ugly spots off of produce all the time. It's never occurred to me to look for shapes in them, like you do with clouds in the sky, though! LOL about the baby’s butt thing.

I cut bad/ugly spots off of produce all the time. It’s never occurred to me to look for shapes in them, like you do with clouds in the sky, though!

]]> By: Dan Livingston http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-142910 Dan Livingston Wed, 13 May 2009 13:04:19 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-142910 P.S. When will your loyal readers get a glimpse of what's to come in this book we've been hearing so much about? P.S. When will your loyal readers get a glimpse of what’s to come in this book we’ve been hearing so much about?

]]> By: Dan Livingston http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/comment-page-1/#comment-142909 Dan Livingston Wed, 13 May 2009 13:02:43 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2009/05/13/ugliness-is-only-skin-deep/#comment-142909 Jon, Since getting the Maines Paper and Food Service Warehouse contract, I've seen all manner of produce gone bad, and I can smell the difference, feel the difference, hear the difference and even see the difference between good and bad produce now. First off, broccoli is something we see far too much of in here. Folks, when it's wriggly, it's still delicious and nutritious. If you've ever let broccoli REALLY go bad, believe me you'd know. The color on the crowns goes from green to brown to white, and the smell . . . WHOO! Mushrooms are another one of those ones I see far too much of. If a mushroom has gone bad you will smell it, believe me. You'll open up your fridge and say "Boy, who got fresh fish, and where is it?" That's right, bad mushrooms smell like good fish. But really, to get to the question you posted, I would say that peppers and tomatoes are too often forsaken for some blemish, while the rest of them is still quite delicious. Also, a lot of eggplants get thrown away because of their shape, but meanwhile the fruit itself is still very much intact and fresh. I've been working so much with discarded produce, that I forget sometimes how squeamish some people are. I would probably have eaten that potato without cutting off the pucker. Peace and Love, Dan Jon,
Since getting the Maines Paper and Food Service Warehouse contract, I’ve seen all manner of produce gone bad, and I can smell the difference, feel the difference, hear the difference and even see the difference between good and bad produce now. First off, broccoli is something we see far too much of in here. Folks, when it’s wriggly, it’s still delicious and nutritious. If you’ve ever let broccoli REALLY go bad, believe me you’d know. The color on the crowns goes from green to brown to white, and the smell . . . WHOO! Mushrooms are another one of those ones I see far too much of. If a mushroom has gone bad you will smell it, believe me. You’ll open up your fridge and say “Boy, who got fresh fish, and where is it?” That’s right, bad mushrooms smell like good fish. But really, to get to the question you posted, I would say that peppers and tomatoes are too often forsaken for some blemish, while the rest of them is still quite delicious. Also, a lot of eggplants get thrown away because of their shape, but meanwhile the fruit itself is still very much intact and fresh. I’ve been working so much with discarded produce, that I forget sometimes how squeamish some people are. I would probably have eaten that potato without cutting off the pucker.
Peace and Love,
Dan

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