How Much Damage Acceptable on Produce ?

[journey11]

I will cut out the bad spots since it doesn't matter for making jam or pies or if I'm not cutting them up for a party. But boy it does really slow me down if I have a lot of them. A bushel of perfect apples or peaches is much less daunting to prep. It's nice to know it's "organic" though, at least.

 

[seedcorn]

Food waste for companies is because Americans with aid of ambulance chasing lawyers love to sue to get something for nothing. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Jurors need to tell lawyers NO. Then let the lawyers swim in middle of ocean with ship sailing away.

 

[Carol Dee]

I do not think we have ever produced anything PERFECT here. Always some kind of animal or insect damage . So as I think everyone else has voted, cut out bad spot and use. No harm.

 

[majorcatfish]

That's what we do cut the bad areas and move along

 

[digitS']

I was out picking some broccoli thinking about this question. First off, I'm amazed I have broccoli at the end of JULY! I cut the quarter-size center buds a month ago and tossed them. The plants were burning up!

Don't give up on broccoli ... The plants grew. Some of the lateral buds are as wide as my hand!

Anyway, there are some aphids. I've sprayed it but still aphids. Telltale curled leaves, I cut off. Infested buds, I threw away. After as much weather stress as they have had, the aphids should have killed the plants. Surely, no nice buds ... but, I fertilized, I watered, and I sprayed.

Insecticidal soap and neem. I would probably be comfortable showering with that soap. Neem? They have neem in toothpaste!

Highly effective? Well, no. "Use up until day of harvest," I think both labels say. I'm not gonna do that - they smell funny .

Steve

 

[so lucky]

Canning instructions always say to sort and discard "imperfect" fruit or veggies. I guess to avoid using pieces that have rot or disease that might not be killed in the processing? I just cut around the bad spots, even if I'm canning or making jam. Anything I don't use is a treat for the chickens. Or the compost pile. Not the trash can.

 

[catjac1975]

There are many organic products that will make you fruit more perfect. My fruit trees are one thing I can never get to so my peaches are far from perfect. Nothing on them will hurt you,but, I'm sure you've heard the joke, "what's worse than finding a worm in an apple? I carefully cook, peal, pit, and sweeten my peaches.The taste is unbeatable. One year I threatened to cut down my peach tree. I had so many peaches I had to prop up the branches . Made at least 25 gallons of prepared peaches. A big pain in the butt, but worth every bit of effort.

 

[Nyboy]

I threw away 3 because I was worried i find a worm.

 

[bobm]

I threw away 3 because I was worried i find a worm.

You threw away THREE ??? You know of cource, that to tell if a fruit is organic is if it has extra protein .

 

[Smart Red]

It is NOT finding the worm that should worry you. . .and only after finding the worm hole.