Meijer to sell discolored, scarred produce for reduced prices

FILE

FILE

Meijer will sell packaged fresh produce that is discolored, scarred or odd-sized for discounted prices.

The Misfits program rolled out at all Meijer locations earlier this month, and customers have already purchased nearly a quarter of a million pounds of fresh, perfectly-imperfect produce. The packaged fresh produce may be discolored, scarred or odd-sized, but offers the same taste, freshness and quality of other produce the retailer carries, the company said.

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“Meijer offers more than 600 types of produce, so the Misfits program has been an incredible extension to our overall selection,” said Peter Vail,vice president of Produce, Deli and Bakery for Meijer. “There is an inner beauty of this perfectly-imperfect produce. Our customers have responded well to the produce made available through the Misfits program.”

Nearly half of the available food supply in the U.S. is never eaten, according to the National Institutes of Health, wasting an estimated 35 tons of food per year.

Misfits produce items vary week to week based on their availability and are sold at a discount of between 20 to 40 percent. Some produce has included apples, bell peppers, lemons, limes and sweet potatoes.

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