Have you ever had one of those times when you've been in the right place at the right time and said the right thing?
Last week I commented to the Produce Manager at the grocery store that the squash wasn't selling very fast. He agreed and said that he was reducing the price again. Initially it was selling for $1.49/pound then was 99 cents a pound. The new price was going to be 49 cents a pound. I said that perhaps I would get some for the hens. The Produce Manager said that by Monday whatever was left would be a "free-for-all". I asked what exactly he meant by that and he said that I could have what was left over - for free!
So, a simple comment resulted in this -
We received two banana boxes of assorted squash! This was very surprising because none of the grocery stores where we live are allowed to provide any scraps or cull produce to anyone. It all must be thrown in the garbage/compost. (Yes, it is a disgusting amount of waste) The reasoning is that someone could eat it and become sick and the stores don't want the liability. It doesn't matter how much I try and convince them that it is for the hens.
Now, to be honest with you we are all going to be eating this squash. There is nothing wrong with it, so we cooked some up and made treats.
Very simple treats, just some squash, a little flour, some oats and water to hold it all together.
Great find! There are chefs around the world who make special dinners using what they've found in store rubbish bins. It is such a waste. Enjoy your squash!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame about the stores not being able to give leftover produce (normally) to people. I am very passionate about 'reduce, reuse, recycle' but I would hate for people to get sick too though! But there must be a better way. Like you said, farmers could definitely use leftovers without risk of harming anyone (I bet animals wouldn't get sick from a little old produce)!
ReplyDeleteAnd lucky dogs - squash biscuits! (I don't think I've ever had that kind of squash before, but pretty much anything in a biscuit is good, right pups?)
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