The produce that supermarkets sell go through rigorous, and often arbitrary rules before making it to the shelves.
Many of these rules have to do with the “cosmetic appeal” of these vegetables, despite the fact those “wonky veg” have no nutritional defects or taste difference. This means that the supermarkets will refuse to buy those harvests and often they’re left for waste.
Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers’ fields after they have been commercially harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest. It not only benefits those that live in poverty and food insecurity, but it also helps tackle climate.
Food waste is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouses gases in the world. In this video, we talk to NGOs and volunteers who regularly take part in these gleaning events.
To find out more you can visit the Gleaning section of the Feedback global website, or the website of The Felix Project.
Feature image credits: Ashkenaz