[mc32]

They definitely missed the point about ugly fruit and vegetables. From speaking to some of the vendors of cheaper fruits and veggies at farmer's markets, some of them (but not all) buy the second dibs (what the supermarkets and their other obligations don't buy) as well as more irregular fruit and produce.

Now, of course there is a growing ugly fruit and vegetable movement[1]. It's becoming more mainstream and even Whole Foods is buying in[2]. There is an effort in Boston to provide good affordable ugly fruit and vegetables to underserved communities.

[1]http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/love_ugly_fruits...

[2]http://www.eater.com/2016/3/8/11178270/whole-foods-ugly-prod...

[Scoundreller]

> some of them (but not all) buy the second dibs (what the supermarkets and their other obligations don't buy) as well as more irregular fruit and produce.

On top of that, the wholesalers know that these buyers will never pay a premium price, so they may get better deals on 1st tier items than mainstream supermarkets when the wholesaler really wants to sell.

[NicoJuicy]

In france it's already since 2014 ( the ugly fruit bowl) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-2693000/Forge...

[DanBC]

Here are two such schemes, and a BBC radio programme (available as MP3 download):

http://www.frutafeia.pt/en

http://www.uglyfruits.eu/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05mpx0k

[kalleboo]

Australia too https://www.woolworths.com.au/Shop/Discover/our-brands/the-o...

[amelius]

Can't restaurants just use the ugly food?

[cmapes]

Restaurants do use the ugly food, there's many grades to choose from when you're a wholesale buyer purchasing from specialty suppliers.