Tesco To Offer Shoppers Ugly Vegetables

Tue, 25 Nov 2008
 
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Tesco is set to become the first retailer to sell boxes of ‘ugly vegetables’ following the EU’s decision to allow the sale of oversized and strange shaped produce for the first time in 20 years.

Shoppers at the supermarket giant will soon be able to purchase a 'Monster Bunch' box including an oversized carrot, onion, swede, butternut squash and sweet potato for £2.50.

Tesco vegetable buyer Jonathan Corbett said: "They are so big that they look like they've come from the land of the giants or at the very least the prize stall at the annual horticulture show. The sweet potatoes, butternut squash and swedes are nearly the size of footballs. "

"We have been anticipating the lifting of this ridiculous ban by the European Commission (EC) for some time now which is why we are ready to launch our Monster Bunch box so quickly," he added.

The EU rules were introduced to ensure uniformity among 26 types of produce but were widely criticised by retailers and shoppers alike due to the amount of produce (20 per cent) that has been rejected by stores across the EU because of the harsh requirements for size and shape.

Until now, oversized or unusually shaped produce usually ended up being pulped and used to make ready meals, soups, baby food and juices .

Mr Corbett continued: "This marks the beginning of a new era for not only farmers – who will now receive a better return for some of their ugly produce - but also for shoppers who will be able have a wider choice over the vegetables they buy."

"We have already spoken to our suppliers who will be saving their choice oversized vegetables for us."

"As the seasons change shoppers can also look forward to giant cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, aubergines, courgettes, turnips and whatever else is offered us."

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