vignette from a grocery store

Yesterday, while perusing the produce in a major grocery store chain in Western WA, I remembered we were about out of bananas. As I approached the almost empty display of bananas, I noticed an employee throwing hands of bananas into a trash box. Bananas that were fresher than the ones becoming banana bread fodder on my counter.

Each cluster of fruit hit the cardboard box with a muffled thump and I cringed in response. Thump, cringe. Thump, cringe. Thump, cringe.

I asked the guy who was tossing his bananas if they were just being trashed or given to a food bank or what. He replied, 'We throw them away - because who would buy them?"

I pointed out that I would, for the aforementioned banana bread...or there was always the food bank (This is why someoneElse always ends up laughing at me when we go shopping together.)The banana guy just looked at me in disbelief and went back to tossing out perfectly good bananas.

Thump, cringe.

Thump, cringe.

And we wonder about the state of food in this country. 

Now I must find the number of the local food bank and ask them is they would please call these bozos and see if they can get free, perfectly good, barely freckled bananas. You know, the ones that nobody would buy.

Comments

[Susan]

I admit I prefer my bananas slightly green for out-of-hand eating, but I certainly don't toss them just because of a brown spot or two. Your story reminded me of my grandfather, for whom browner was always better. He used to go into stores and find the spottiest bunch he could find, then take them to the manager and ask how much he'd have to pay for "these old rotten bananas." He'd almost always leave with that bunch, without paying a dime.

[elizabeth]

I know the store I go to bags the older ones in groups of 5-8 and sells them cheaper, they are perfect for banana bread.

[McAuliflower]

uggg- that sucks- I feel your cringe. :(

I've had two stores (co-ops) in my life that put these items into a special "distressed" section that is marked 50% off. It's a great way to get that produce out of the store. We would cull the distressed section for "orphans" to take home and make into stock.

sigh

[Javier]

Thanks for helping reduce food waste. It DOES make a difference.

Bananas are usually sold green so they have longer shelf life. If eaten right away they'll have some sour taste because they're not yet ready. After a couple of days the sugars have had time to develop and you'll have a ripe and sweet banana. Spots = better.