No Produce Left Behind Month

Chances are you have never seen a carrot that looked like this one. Why? Due to the “unappealing look” of produce such as these carrots, farmers can’t sell them to commercial grocers. More than 264 million pounds of produce is typically thrown away every day in America. That’s where Farm Share steps in, and this is where you can help.

Here’s the long and short. Farm Share is a Florida food nonprofit with a location in Jacksonville that is known for its recovery of “ugly” yet equally nutritious produce. They retrieve this produce from Florida farmers and recycle it back into communities throughout the state of Florida at no cost. Saving the planet + feeding in-need Floridians = win-win situation.

To bring more awareness, they have created No Produce Left Behind Month during March (yes, another food holiday — but this one helps!). They hope to bring more awareness to people about hunger in the state of Florida, food waste with produce, and how to be more mindful in your daily living. The following are some tips to help you get started.

Five Ways to Help Reduce Food Waste

Shop smart, and buy only what you need. Plan meals, use grocery lists, and avoid impulse buys to avoid having excess produce and unnecessary waste.

Buy “ugly” produce. Many fruits and vegetables are thrown away because of their size, shape, or the common view of what these items should look like. This produce is still perfectly good to eat, and buying them at a local farmer’s market or the grocery store helps utilize food that might otherwise be thrown away.

Repurpose any food scraps. Utilize vegetable and meat leftovers to make homemade stocks, and use citrus fruit rinds and zest to add flavor to other meals.

Tell a friend. Inform friends and family to advocate for ugly produce and volunteer at Farm Share or a local food pantry.

Dedicate one night as a “use it all” dinner. Instead of buying new produce, gather any wilted lettuce or brown banana to make a smoothie!

For more information on No Produce Left Behind Month, visit Farm Share.