Dubai: The Spinneys supermarket chain is selling ‘wonky’ potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, capsicum and eggplants at nearly 60 per cent lower prices than “normal” vegetables in a bid to help cut down on wastage.
The initiative comes in line with the UAE’s pledge to reduce food wastage. “Fruit and vegetables can grow unevenly for many reasons, including unusual and sometimes unpredictable weather conditions. We have decided to show this produce some love by welcoming it at Spinneys,” says Martin Jorge Aguirre, commercial manager, Spinneys.
The new range of vegetables will also give shoppers a chance to save some money.
The initiative has evoked mixed reactions among shoppers. While some are seeing this as an opportunity to save, others don’t see much of an incentive.
No problem
“I never had a problem picking up weird-looking vegetables, the problem is only with rotten vegetables. The good thing is, I can save some money now,” said Maryam Fattahi, 35, as she picked up eggplants of the ‘Naturally Imperfect’ range at Spinneys, Business Bay. Another woman at the same store was seen turning away from the ‘imperfect’ shelf.
Health first
“There is so much adulteration these days, I can’t risk the health of my family for a few dirhams,” said Fiona Pinto, 28, an Indian expat.
With Ramadan underway some other supermarkets in the region are likely to follow suit. “A lot of times we distribute such vegetables to lower income groups, but this is something we can easily start,” says Vivek Tarani, store manager at the Westzone Supermarket in Business Bay.
