#Farming Friday 42: Pumpkin Lessons

Posted on October 24, 2015 | 2 Comments

Fall is the one time in our area where everyone seems to be planning a trip to the farm, to pick apples or choose a pumpkin. One farmer realized that this was probably the only time that kids have a chance to see how their food is produced and works to make it a fun and memorable time. It makes me hopeful that when children see the effort that goes into growing food, they will not be so quick to waste it. Maybe fewer apple slices of squishy berries will be tossed out with an “eww” at lunchtime in school!

(Image Courtesy: “Pumpkins” by Tina Phillips, freedigitalphotos.net)

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2 responses to “#Farming Friday 42: Pumpkin Lessons”

Mike Lewinski | October 24, 2015 at 2:51 pm | Reply

The issue of wasted apples is on my radar since the approval of Arctic Apples with non-browning trait that is meant to increase consumption of sliced fruit (and hopefully decrease waste).

http://www.arcticapples.com/slicing-into-food-waste-with-arctic-apples/

Via the Cornell news release linked in the above post on slices vs. whole apples, these reasons are given for children’s preference of the former:

Results from interviews conducted with students during this pilot indicated they dislike eating fruit for two main reasons: for younger students, who might have braces or missing teeth, a large fruit is too inconvenient to eat; for older girls, it is un-attractive-looking to eat such a fruit in front of others. Initial results showed fruit sales increased by an average of 61%, when the fruit was sliced.
- Thought+Food | October 28, 2015 at 2:11 pm | Reply
  
  Thanks for the comment! I am following Arctic apples too as I think this can change consumer perceptions when they see how much waste is reduced. A visit to a school cafeteria at lunch can be a real eye opener on how much fruit, and apples in particular get tossed out.