‘Wonky’ veg saved from the compost heap and heading to the dinner plate

Previously destined for the compost heap, the misshapen produce is heading for 75 supermarkets in Yorkshire in a bid to tackle food waste.

The vegetables – potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsnips – have been selected from farmers’ crops because they are either mis-shapen, have growth cracks or are much smaller or larger than average.

Prices will be discounted by around a third, reflecting that the whole vegetable may not be usable or extra time may be required to peel them.

Morrisons is trialling the sale of these vegetables as part of a wider programme to tackle waste from farm to fork. This includes rolling out an initiative that aims to end the waste of edible food in supermarkets by donating it to local community organisations.

Last month the supermarket came under fire from chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, whose BBC programme ‘Hugh’s War on Waste’ highlighted “excessively exacting” cosmetic standards at the supermarket chain.

The supermarket said initial sales have been promising, with sales close to expectations on potatoes, carrots and onions - although parsnips were a little off the pace.

Sales in the first week have amounted to approximately £20,000 with potatoes and onions making up the bulk of the sales.

Wonky potatoes are being sold at £2 for a 5kg bag, onions and carrots are available at 60p in 1.5kg bags and wonky parsnips are being sold for £1 for a 1kg bag.