Round Table China "Ugly" fruits and vegetables deserve love, too!
Jan 2, 2025
Delve into the world of 'ugly' fruits and vegetables that are often overlooked in grocery stores. Discover how innovative retailers in China are promoting these imperfect produce items to combat food waste and reduce aesthetic biases. Learn about creative marketing strategies involving quirky mascots and the environmental impact of food waste globally. Unpack the factors affecting produce appearance, including climate change. Finally, explore the economic and ecological benefits of embracing these 'ugly' items in our diets.
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Ugly Produce Preference
- Consumers often prefer pretty produce over ugly produce.
- However, some "ugly" fruits, like the Chou-chou orange, are known for being both ugly and sweet.
Supermarket Presentation and Food Waste
- Supermarkets enhance the appeal of produce with techniques like misting.
- Food waste is a significant issue, with 14% wasted globally between harvest and shelf.
Combating Food Waste
- Chinese retailers combat food waste by selling "ugly" produce at a discount.
- Creative marketing, like Fresh Hippo's mascots, makes blemished items more appealing.