I Wasn’t Perfect, But I Was Still Good.
I started out as a ripe, bright apple or a plump tomato, full of potential. But somewhere along the way, I developed a small blemish, or perhaps I grew a little too big or small compared to what the market expected of me. Maybe I didn’t meet the perfect visual standards that people wanted, or I stayed on the shelf just a little too long, and my skin started to wrinkle.
I wasn’t spoiled or rotten—I was still nutritious and fresh! But I got passed over. There I was, sitting in a corner of a crowded bin, slowly losing my shine, when I should have been enjoyed for my flavor, my vitamins, and my freshness.
Then, a Second Chance.
But one day, someone noticed me. Maybe it was a farmer who saw that I could still be of use, or an organization that was working hard to prevent waste. They didn’t look at me and see a reject. They saw a fruit or vegetable that still had value, something worth saving, something with the ability to nourish.
I was gently rescued from the pile of discarded produce, maybe sent to a local food bank or market where people who couldn’t afford “perfect” food could find me. I was given a second chance—not to be judged by my appearance but for my true qualities: my flavor, my nutrients, my ability to provide sustenance.
Now, I Have a Purpose.
Now, I’m part of a movement. I help fight waste and make sure that resources don’t go to waste. I get to be part of a meal that nourishes someone, even if my shape isn’t ideal. And when someone chooses me, it feels like a small victory. Maybe they’re saving money or supporting a more sustainable way of eating. But either way, I’m doing what I was meant to do: feeding someone, bringing joy to their table.
Grateful for My New Life.
I might not be the picture-perfect vegetable you first expected, but I’ve found my place. Maybe I’m turned into a delicious soup or added to a hearty stew. Maybe I’m chopped into a fresh salad or blended into a smoothie. Wherever I end up, I’m thankful that I’ve been given the chance to be something more than waste. I have value, and someone out there sees it.
From the perspective of a rescued fruit or vegetable, it’s all about the second chance. Even though we might not be the most visually appealing, we still have so much to offer. And by being rescued, we get the opportunity to fulfill our purpose and make a positive impact on the world around us.
Estimates suggest that roughly 45% of all fruits and vegetables go to waste, whether due to overproduction, cosmetic imperfections, or spoilage during transport and storage.
But there are incredible resuce efforts taking place by charitable food banks, rescued produce programs and local and regional projects.
While exact numbers on the percentage of fruit and vegetables being “rescued” vary by region and initiative, the trend toward rescuing produce is growing.
The best way to buy your fruit and vege is from direct farmers, which supports their efforts and bypassing the big supermarkets, keeping prices of fruit and vegetables more fair.
You can find the following places a great place to start:
The Red Shed, which is on your way towards Burnett Heads, The Fruit Shed Stall, which is on the highway between Childers and Howard, The Lettuce Patch, out towards Bargara, One Little Farm, located Bundaberg East.
Happy Fruit & Veg Saving!
Published April 2025