What do you expect to see when you walk into the produce section of a supermarket?

Let me guess…

This?

This?

Oh… I know. This?

Nowadays, less-than-perfect foods don’t make the cut into supermarkets and grocery stores, which gives us consumers the false impression that fruits and vegetables are born this way!

Unfortunately, however, this causes a ripple effect…

All of which has led us to our current global food waste crisis, an international issue of immense proportions.

In fact, according to this year’s UN Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report;

• Around 931 million tons of food or 17 percent of global food production goes to waste each year.
• 61 percent of food waste comes from households, while 26 percent comes from food services and 13 percent from retail.
• At least 155 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity.
• Eight to ten percent of global carbon emissions are linked to unconsumed produce.

However, as much as the food crisis is a severe issue on a global scale, there are plenty of things that you, as an individual, can do to help!

One of the easiest and most fun ways to help is by eating ugly.

This summer, I invite you to join me and #EATUGLY.

Visit your local supermarket, farmer’s market or get into contact with some organic food producers. Ask if they sell discounted “ugly fruit boxes,” or actively seek out and purchase less “attractive” fruits and vegetables!

And you can even win a grand prize when you snap a photo of your “ugly” fruit/vegetable and submit it to the #EATUGLY Photography Contest!

For a little inspiration, here are some photos that we’ve found/created! And remember, don’t be afraid to get creative!

An example of digital manipulation!

Photo from imgur.com (Created by Elise Cheng)

Photo by stan0 from imgur.com

Photo by Lauren Zhou

Photo from Planet Ivy

What is Project Grounded?

According to a survey of 2,000 8-to-12-year-olds in the UK (conducted by the TV Channel Eden), 64 percent of kids play outside less than once a week, 21 percent have never been to a farm, and 20 percent have never once climbed a tree.

How to change this set of statistics? I created Project Grounded to reintroduce nature education to the generation that desperately lacks it. Through offering first-hand experiences of growing, harvesting, cooking fruits and vegetables, and campaigns like #eatugly, I’m on a mission to generate worldwide impact.

To get in touch with Lauren Zhou:
Email: 22haitianz@dulwich-beijing.cn
WeChat: laurengirl47

Images: Pexels, Lauren Zhou, Planet Ivy, imgur.com