JoAnne Berkenkamp at Tomorrow’s Table and The Real Food Challenge have been exploring the market – from farmer to processor to college foodservice – of produce that is healthful and delicious, if a little imperfect. Looking at “imperfects” from the farmer’s perspective, this first phase of their research explores realities on the farm and in the marketplace for fruit and veggies that go beyond beauty.

The webinar will begin with a statement of the issue, including some details like why there are imperfections in produce, rates of imperfections, as well as a sense for what growers in Minnesota do with this produce right now. Then we will turn to how we can more fully utilize the imperfect produce, including some blue sky thinking… and some possible unintended consequences. The webinar will conclude with ideas for bringing such product to market efficiently and policy recommendations.