'It might not look the prettiest': Meet the people rescuing fruit and veg 'too ugly' for supermarket shelves

Padraig Fahy and Úna Ni Bhroin from Beechlawn Organic Farm with Gar Byrne from BaxterStorey who are both participating in the Waste Knot initiative which encourages food suppliers to purchase so-called “ugly vegetables” rejected by supermarkets. Photo: Ray Ryan

It might be its shape or even a single blemish that renders a vegetable “too ugly” for supermarket shelves, but it results in shocking levels of nutritious food being wasted every year.

About 30% of fruit and vegetables in Ireland are rejected by commercial buyers due to self-imposed cosmetic standards.