Healthy Acres A RESOURCE TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LANDS AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Preserving “Imperfect” Produce Wasting food is something that none of us can afford to do!
Many supermarkets, warehouses, and boutique produce stands have long equated beautiful produce with quality produce. So called “imperfect” fruits and vegetables, have typically been sorted through and disposed of long before the consumer ever enters the grocery store produce aisle. According to the USDA, food waste adds up to 30% of the country’s food supply, 63 million tons of food per year, and approximately 161 billion dollars’ worth. Food recovery programs have taken on the challenge of helping rescue rejected produce in order to help meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of food insecure people. A recently formed company, Imperfect Produce,
FALL 2019
In this Issue
provides home delivery of blemished and misshapen, but edible vegetables to urban customers at reduced rates.If Canada Thistle Rust Infections Found in Montana Page 9
Canada thistle is difficult to control due to the extensive root systems. A naturalized rust fungus has shown impacts on patches in Colorado. The success in Colorado, has led to the initaition of a multi-state program.
we are lucky enough to have a home garden or a CSA, imperfection doesn’t usually deter us from enjoying the fruits of our labor. Preserving that produce safely, allows us to prolong the best flavors of the short Montana growing season. It’s important to avoid consuming or preserving produce that is moldy, spoiled, or has extensive insect damage. continued
Autumn Colors Page 4
Fall brings cooler weather and seasonal changes, and among many of our favorite things about fal lis watching the leaves change in colors.