Category Archives: Farm

Imperfect Implications

We all love the fun pictures of produce oddities, epitomized by the  @UglyFruitandVeg feed and sold in the East Bay by Imperfect.  Yet, a new study from Minnesota raises some interesting questions on how increased adoption of  “off-spec” fruits and vegetables might impact farmers’ bottom lines. On the plus side, new markets for produce with slightly […]

November 6, 2015 | Also posted in General, Stats | Comments closed

Kids Collar Collards

I rarely find the time to glean, but it’s always a pleasurable, grounding experience. This week, I had that opportunity as I helped supervise a group of 15 campers (from a community service camp!) glean collard greens. As you can see, we did our best in filling the available delivery vehicles, including my hatchback and […]

July 11, 2014 | Also posted in Food Recovery, Gleaning | Comments closed

Curved Cuke

By this point, you know that I love nothing more than unique produce. Whether it’s ugly fruit, knotty carrots or letter-shaped veggies. This curved cuke–bought at the farmers’ market–fits that category quite well. And it also doubles as a nice toy gun (if you’re into that kind of thing). Best of all, this cucumber tasted […]

June 24, 2013 | Also posted in Alphabet Produce, Farmers' Market | Comments closed

USDA Challenges US to Waste Less Food

I’ve been fairly critical of the USDA in the past for not doing enough to combat food waste. But I’m excited to report that the Department of Agriculture is will launch the U.S. Food Waste Challenge in a few weeks. The campaign, in conjunction with the EPA, will challenge food producers, manufacturers and retailers–really everyone […]

May 22, 2013 | Also posted in Legislation | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

During a recent panel on food waste, the California Board of Food and Agriculture announced a goal to double the amount of produce donated to the California Association of Food Banks’ Farm to Family program by 2015. That’s exciting because it will mean more nutritious foods going to those in need. And wasted food takes on added significance in California, given […]

March 8, 2013 | Also posted in College, Food Recovery, International, Leftovers | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

While there has long been composting activity in NYC, the Bloomberg Administration is launching a pilot program to try it on the municipal level. The pilot program will be on Staten Island, home to the massive (and closed) Fresh Kills Landfill. Let’s hope the program succeeds despite State Island Borough President’s pessimism: “I think most people […]

February 15, 2013 | Also posted in Composting, Environment, Food Recovery | Comments closed

Peachy Keen

New Jersey peach producers usually throw away about a million cosmetically-challenged (blemished) peaches every year. This year, they’ve decided to do something about it. Eastern ProPak, a N.J. growers collective, has teamed up with the Food Bank of South Jersey and Campbell’s Soup to create a peach salsa from unsellable fruit. The result is Just […]

August 2, 2012 | Also posted in Food Recovery, Hunger | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

The same guy who brought you Let’s Be Frank hot dogs is working to transform potentially squandered farm products into shelf stable ones to be sold at specialty stores like San Fran’s slice of foodie heaven, Bi-Rite Market. — — Thumbs up for NYC School composting. Boo for photos that make the compost bin seem […]

July 13, 2012 | Also posted in Composting, School | Comments closed

On (Not) Wasting Meat

This piece of mine ran yesterday on Grist. You could call it preachy, but, hey, I think it’s warranted. Let me know what you think. — This is not about the guilt-ridden question: Should I eat meat? That personal dilemma has already been debated thoroughly on Grist and elsewhere. Instead, here’s another dose of angst for […]

March 2, 2012 | Also posted in Household | Comments closed

Agribusiness Thinking About Waste?

It’s encouraging to see anyone in agriculture talking about reducing waste. It’s especially so when they’re part of Big Ag. For example, a speaker at the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum raising the flag against waste. — — Also, yesterday and today I’ve been at the Shared Tables Symposium at UNC and Duke. I’ve been heartened […]

February 29, 2012 | Posted in Farm | Comments closed