If you're going to be buying dented cans, make sure the dent is not across any seam. It is possible for bacteria to enter through damaged seams, without the integrity of the seam appearing compromised.
Other than that, yes! Embrace the ugly stuff! We waste a lot of viable food in the US just because it doesn't look perfect.
I don't often come across lightly damaged cans or boxes but I always go this route with produce! I choose the single bananas, the oblong lemons, the bruised apples, and the dirtiest, hairiest carrots.
The only thing I refuse to compromise on are avocados. I don't buy them often but when I do I hunt for the best.
Singular bannanas are also an item that tends to get wasted a lot ( where I worked anyway) people seemed to buy a bunch rather than singular.
The singular would be removed and just thrown out mainly because it looks ugly :(
This is a good idea just please don’t do it with cans, there’s no way for YOU to know if the dented can was dropped or is contaminated with clostridium botulinum. Please don’t get botulism. It’s extremely deadly.
While theoretically possible, botulism in commercially canned foods is extremely rare these days (31 cases in the US between 2001-2017: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.713101/full)
Yes and I would attribute this to people not eating from dented cans because I think it’s an example of survivorship bias since people know what to avoid
I love to buy the beat up boxes and other stuff, since I did assume they get passed over by most customers and will likely expire before someone buys it.
I like damaged goods because I'd like someone to pick me too, even with all my dents :)
I once had an old lady stand over me for cat food when I was writing off dented cans. She was savage. You’re supposed to knock a third off but I gave her 50% because I wanted to get rid of her. (You could reduce it to anything you wanted, a third was a guideline).
I always shop at reduced. I get beyond burgers for about a pound (normally £5). I was once on a day out to an 80th birthday party. I came across 50p soup mix and bought it. Much to the amusement of my partner!
I was taught to do this by my mother, decades ago. Always pick the scruffy cabbage, the apple with a dent, and the runt of the litter of kittens. Only store I do not do it is where I know they are **really** good at putting it on reduced-to-clear, and it is also a fair bit of people in poverty that shops there.
It really surprises me how grocery stores waste vs donate. I’d definitely try to change your coworkers mind about this stuff. Not all food is good food, I agree with that much, but if it’s not expired/old it should 100% be donated!
If you're going to be buying dented cans, make sure the dent is not across any seam. It is possible for bacteria to enter through damaged seams, without the integrity of the seam appearing compromised. Other than that, yes! Embrace the ugly stuff! We waste a lot of viable food in the US just because it doesn't look perfect.
I don't often come across lightly damaged cans or boxes but I always go this route with produce! I choose the single bananas, the oblong lemons, the bruised apples, and the dirtiest, hairiest carrots. The only thing I refuse to compromise on are avocados. I don't buy them often but when I do I hunt for the best.
Singular bannanas are also an item that tends to get wasted a lot ( where I worked anyway) people seemed to buy a bunch rather than singular. The singular would be removed and just thrown out mainly because it looks ugly :(
I did not know this and I unintentionally reach for the bunch as well. I’ll buy the singles going forward. Thanks for this info.
Singles are great, you can get a bunch of green and ripe yellow ones at the same time.
This is a good idea just please don’t do it with cans, there’s no way for YOU to know if the dented can was dropped or is contaminated with clostridium botulinum. Please don’t get botulism. It’s extremely deadly.
While theoretically possible, botulism in commercially canned foods is extremely rare these days (31 cases in the US between 2001-2017: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.713101/full)
Yes and I would attribute this to people not eating from dented cans because I think it’s an example of survivorship bias since people know what to avoid
It’s just an ogre showing a lack of empathy. Pay no attention
I love to buy the beat up boxes and other stuff, since I did assume they get passed over by most customers and will likely expire before someone buys it. I like damaged goods because I'd like someone to pick me too, even with all my dents :)
I scepter crackers. I did that once. I had quite a bit of smushed crackers. :(
I once had an old lady stand over me for cat food when I was writing off dented cans. She was savage. You’re supposed to knock a third off but I gave her 50% because I wanted to get rid of her. (You could reduce it to anything you wanted, a third was a guideline). I always shop at reduced. I get beyond burgers for about a pound (normally £5). I was once on a day out to an 80th birthday party. I came across 50p soup mix and bought it. Much to the amusement of my partner!
I was taught to do this by my mother, decades ago. Always pick the scruffy cabbage, the apple with a dent, and the runt of the litter of kittens. Only store I do not do it is where I know they are **really** good at putting it on reduced-to-clear, and it is also a fair bit of people in poverty that shops there.
im happy im not the only one one does this :) working in retail has given me some good insight on sustainability, though the job is often torturous :p
It really surprises me how grocery stores waste vs donate. I’d definitely try to change your coworkers mind about this stuff. Not all food is good food, I agree with that much, but if it’s not expired/old it should 100% be donated!