Kroger Launches Ugly Produce Program
Updated: Dec. 15, 2022
Kroger is targeting food waste with their new Peculiar Picks produce.
Get ready to see more ugly produce when you shop at Kroger. Coming in early 2019, a new label called Peculiar Picks is making its way to the popular grocery store. The initiative will label produce that may not otherwise sell because of its appearance. The store is already tackling plastic bag waste, by eliminating all single-use plastic by 2025, so eliminating food waste is another step in the direction toward a more mindful shopping experience.
Waste not, want not. That’s just one of the things we learned from Grandma after all. Learn her other cooking secrets here.
What Is Ugly Produce?
Ugly produce is perfectly safe to eat, it just doesn’t have that perfect appearance that we’re used to seeing at the supermarket. While these fruits and veggies might be too big or too small, misshapen or slightly off in color, they are still perfectly fine to consume and cook with, and would otherwise go unsold in stores.
This program is combating food waste, which accounts for 6 million pounds of wasted produce annually. Kroger hopes to shift the conversation away from the outer appearance of food, and more to what you can create with fruits and veggies that might not be the prettiest in the store.
You can use these cosmetically imperfect produce items any way you would cook with or snack on regular produce, the possibilities are endless with recipes and for snacking.
Try using your “ugly” produce in these hearty fall soups.
Classic French Onion Soup
French onion soup—a staple French recipe—is the ultimate in comfort food: exploding with flavor and covered in gooey melted cheese. If you don't have oven-safe soup ramekins, add the bread and cheese to the bowl first, then ladle the hot soup on top so that the cheese melts.
Tex-Mex ChiliNeed to satisfy big, hearty appetites? Look no further than this Tex-Mex recipe with beef stew meat, plenty of beans and tasty spices. Enjoy your chili with a serious kick? Chop up one or two chipotle peppers packed in adobo and stir in while the chili simmers.
Mulligatawny Soup
Mulligatawny soup is a comforting dish that marries both Indian and British ingredients, and it's sure to tantalize your tastebuds. It's fragrant, creamy, mildly spicy and simply incredible.
Taco Twist SoupThe fun, family-friendly twist in this taco soup is the spiral pasta, which does more than look good. This pasta shape captures bits of tomatoes, beans and other soup ingredients, making sure that every single bite is hearty, flavorful and filling.
Cream of Cauliflower SoupBy using frozen cauliflower instead of fresh, this lightly cheesy soup goes from the stove to the table in less than 10 minutes. Even better, the only real prep you need to do is chop up some green onions—once those have been sauteed in a bit of butter, simply add the rest of the ingredients, simmer, stir and serve!
Baked Potato SoupThis creamy fall soup is not only delicious, but also scaled down to make an amount that's perfect for two—or served in cups as a side dish for hot sandwiches.
Spiced Split Pea SoupA hint of curry adds the perfect amount of kick to this family-pleasing fall soup. Just assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker and go about your day while it cooks. Serve with a basket of pita bread that's been warmed in the microwave or oven, then brushed with flavored butter.
Slow-Cooked Lasagna SoupIn the mood for lasagna, but not in the mood for all the work involved? Instead of making this layered and baked pasta the old-fashioned way, whip up this easy slow cooker soup that uses all the right ingredients to deliver the same great taste in a fraction of the time.
Cream of Turkey and Wild Rice SoupFun food fact: Wild rice isn't technically rice at all! It's actually a seed from North American aquatic grasses and is packed with nutrients like fiber and protein. This simple, mellow turkey soup recipe lets wild rice's naturally nutty flavor shine.
Firehouse ChiliNeed to feed a crowd? This recipe comes from a real firehouse cook, who would make this chili for 10 men. If it can fill up a house of extra-hungry firefighters, it'll fill up everyone in your house, too!
Roasted Autumn Vegetable SoupRoasting sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips brings out their best features. Blend them, and you have a warm, healthy soup for a cool fall night. This recipe also makes a great first course before a warm and cozy fall dinner.
Carrot Soup with Orange & TarragonA pretty orange color, a delicious hint of citrus and a garden-fresh flavor make this soup a requested dish at many of my celebrations. Try sprinkling individual bowls with fresh tarragon before serving; here's how to chop tarragon and other fresh herbs.
Quick Golden Squash SoupIt can be difficult to safely peel and cut whole winter squash, so if you're not confident in your knife skills (or if you simply don't feel like doing it), spend a little more on precut butternut squash to make this quick fall soup. The shortcut is well worth it.
Moroccan Cauliflower and Almond SoupTrying to reduce the amount of meat and dairy in your diet? This healthy North African-spiced cauliflower and almond soup tastes so blissfully rich and decadent, no one will guess (or care!) that it's 100% vegan.
Try these low-sodium soups if you're looking for more healthy soup recipes.
Hopping on the Bandwagon
Kroger isn’t the only grocer selling flawed fruits and veggies, the store is joining a group of fellow grocery chains that are tackling food waste. Whole Foods, Walmart and Meijer have all been experimenting with similar programs as well since 2016.
A San Francisco-based company, Imperfect Produce, is a produce-delivery company that services much of the west coast with weekly deliveries of produce that doesn’t meet cosmetic standards and has saved 30 million pounds of food so far.
Looking to reduce food waste in your own home? You can reduce your footprint with these ideas:
- Compost at home to turn your scraps into soil
- Being mindful of how long your produce lasts so you can gobble it up before it spoils.
Try These Sneaky Ways To Eat More Veggies
Chicken Florentine MeatballsServed over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
Harissa Sweet Potato FrittersI had leftover sweet potatoes and had to think up a new way to use them. We love spice, so I flavored these fun fritters with harissa, just enough for flavor but not too spicy. If you want more heat, you can always adjust the spice to please your taste buds. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Dark Chocolate Chip Zucchini BreadA colleague brought this in one day for someone’s birthday. I grow zucchini in my garden so I had a lot of opportunities to experiment with the recipe. My mother-in-law loves it, and not just because it's pretty good for you! —Sally Newton, Smethport, Pennsylvania
Baked Sweet Potato FriesI can never get enough of this baked sweet potato fries recipe! Even though my grocery store sells them in the frozen foods section, I still love to pull them out of my garden and chop them up fresh! —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Grilled Eggplant Pita PizzasWe grow eggplants and love to use them for our special pizza. Grilling adds robust flavor to the crust, veggies and garlic. Waiting for the eggplants to grow is the hardest part! —Judy Barrett, Chelsea, Alabama
Creamy Mashed CauliflowerFor weeknight dinner I want something fast, easy and not ordinary. This mashed cauliflower side dish is a perfect substitute for mashed potatoes.
Farmers Market EnchiladasThese vegetarian enchiladas use a lot of garden favorites in a quick weeknight meal. Feel free to substitute with whatever vegetables you have from your garden: yellow summer squash, eggplant and corn—all taste great! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah
Sneaky Turkey MeatballsLike most kids, mine refuse to eat certain veggies. In order to feed them healthy foods, I have to be sneaky sometimes. The veggies give these meatballs a pleasing texture while providing valuable nutrients—and I'm happy to say my kids love 'em. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Mushroom and Sweet Potato PotpieThe last time I was in the U.S., I had an amazing mushroom and beer potpie at a small brewpub. It was so rich and comforting. I tried numerous versions when I got home and I think I've come pretty close! —Iben Ravn, Copenhagen, Denmark
Spinach Lasagna Roll-UpsOne night friends on a tight schedule stopped by. I invited them to stay for dinner, so I needed something I could fix in short order. I created these savory roll-ups, featuring a creamy three-cheese filling. They taste like lasagna but bake in a fraction of the time. —Julia Trachsel Victoria, British Columbia
Pumpkin & Cauliflower Garlic MashI wanted healthy alternatives to my family's favorite recipes. Pumpkin, cauliflower and thyme make an amazing dish. You'll never miss those plain old mashed potatoes. —Kari Wheaton, South Beloit, Illinois
Zippy Turkey ZoodlesEating healthy doesn't mean sacrificing flavor—and these spiced-up zoodles prove it. If you don't have a spiralizer, simply slice the zucchini julienne-style. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Originally Published: October 31, 2018
