'Ugly produce': company gives second life to fruits and vegetables in Montreal
For Divyansh Ojha and his company Odd Bunch, Friday was a big step forward. It marked the first time his subscription-based food service completed a delivery in Quebec.
Odd Bunch is capitalizing on what's called "ugly produce." Fruits and vegetables with slight imperfections but would not make it to a grocery store shelf.
"Nearly 60 per cent of all the food in Canada that's produced is waste, and a large chunk of that is avoidable," Ojha, Odd Bunch founder, said. "That's where we fit in."
Odd Bunch works with farmers, greenhouses and suppliers to ensure the produce doesn't go to waste.
"Because a cucumber is a little bit bent, because a pepper is not perfectly symmetrical, does not mean that the grower should not be compensated for it," Ojha said.
He acquires fruits and vegetables at a reduced price, ultimately helping a consumer's bottom line.
"We're able to pass on the cost savings to the customer that is paying typically 50 cents on the dollar to get this product to their door," Ojha said.
With a grocery price freeze now over, food researcher Sylvain Charlebois said shoppers can expect a price jump for non-perishable goods.
"You have a more frugal market, so consumers on a tight budget will look for other options, and they'll do everything they can to save money," Charlebois said. "So this is the right time to come into the market with an economical solution."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza and southern Lebanon on the eve of Oct. 7 anniversary
A new round of airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs late Sunday as Israel intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon in a widening war with Iran-allied militant groups across the region. Palestinian officials said a strike on a mosque in Gaza killed at least 19 people.
Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
The cooking method you need to learn to get excited about vegetables this fall, expert says
'Eat more vegetables,' doctors and dietitians say over and over. But for many people, it’s hard to do, because they aren’t excited about veggies or just don’t like them.
Hurricane Milton is growing stronger as it blows toward Florida's Tampa Bay region
People across Florida were given notice Sunday that Hurricane Milton is intensifying rapidly and will likely be a major hurricane before slamming midweek into the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast.
New Far North hospital moves closer to being built after $1.8B design, build contract awarded
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority and the Government of Ontario have awarded a $1.8 billion fixed-price contract to design, build and finance a new Far North hospital.
Inmate dies following assault at Toronto jail, another prisoner charged
A 54-year-old inmate at the Toronto South Detention Centre has been charged in connection with a deadly jail beating late last week that claimed the life of a 69-year-old prisoner.
Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, dead at 63
Christopher Ciccone, a multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.