When the Avocado Hits the Floor – Food Waste Podcast Ep#1

In this premiere episode about food waste, we dive into a topic that impacts both our wallets and the planet – keeping produce fresh. Ever find yourself excited about buying fresh produce, only to discover wilted greens and sad fruits in the “crisper drawer of doom”? You’re not alone. In this engaging conversation, we explore practical ways to reduce food waste, keep your produce fresher for longer, and save money while doing your part for the environment. Listen in and discover how small changes can lead to big savings and a healthier planet.

Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):

Okay, so have you ever gone grocery shopping? You are feeling good, picking out all this fresh produce. You’re like, oh, I’m going to make all these amazing meals. And then a few days later you open the fridge and it’s the crisper drawer of doom.

Speaker 2 (00:13):

It’s just wilted and sad looking and it’s like money down the train.

Speaker 1 (00:20):

Tell me about it. And not even just our wallets that feel, it’s like bad for the planet too, all that waste. But good news, everyone, today’s deep dive is all about making those groceries last longer,

Speaker 2 (00:31):

Right? We’re talking about actually getting to enjoy all that healthy food we buy.

Speaker 1 (00:35):

Yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:36):

And we’re diving into this article called When the Avocado Hits the Floor For this one, I think you’ll find it has some really useful tips.

Speaker 1 (00:43):

I have to admit, that title alone has me hooked. What is this avocado epiphany all about?

Speaker 2 (00:48):

Well, the author, they had this really relatable moment. They found it perfectly good. Avocado had gone bad way too soon, and it got them thinking about all the money and the resources we waste when we don’t take care of our produce.

Speaker 1 (01:01):

It’s amazing how a simple thing like that can completely change your perspective.

Speaker 2 (01:05):

Absolutely. And for the author, it sent them down this whole research rabbit hole learning about food preservation and get this, they found out some pretty surprising stuff about dirt and bacteria.

Speaker 1 (01:18):

Okay, you’re killing me. I always thought a quick rinse under the tap was good enough for my fruits and veggies.

Speaker 2 (01:23):

So here’s the thing. You know how even after you rinse produce, there might be a little dirt left? Well, there can be bacteria too, stuff we can’t even see, and it can make things spoil faster.

Speaker 1 (01:33):

Really? So it’s like this hidden enemy just speeding up the decay process.

Speaker 2 (01:37):

Yeah, exactly. And it’s not even just about how it looks, right? The article talks about studies that show this leftover bacteria can actually mess with the flavor of our fruits and veggies.

Speaker 1 (01:46):

So what’s the secret? Am I supposed to scrub all my produce with a toothbrush or something?

Speaker 2 (01:52):

Well, not quite a toothbrush, but have you ever tried those produce washes?

Speaker 1 (01:57):

I’ve seen them at the store, but I’ve always been, I don’t know, a little skeptical, I guess.

Speaker 2 (02:01):

Yeah, I get it. It seems like one of those extra steps, but honestly, the author of this article, they swear by them. They actually say, using a wash can make things like berries last two weeks, longer,

Speaker 1 (02:12):

Two weeks. Okay. Now that’s impressive,

Speaker 2 (02:14):

Right? And okay, here’s the thing about the science behind it.

Speaker 1 (02:18):

It

Speaker 2 (02:18):

Actually makes a lot of sense, right? Because water, it can only do so much, but these washes, they’re made to get rid of that really stubborn stuff, the stuff that just rinsing might miss.

Speaker 1 (02:31):

Huh? So it’s kind of like what? Using soap instead of just water to wash your hands.

Speaker 2 (02:35):

Yeah, exactly. It’s like you wouldn’t just splash water on your dishes and call it a day. Plus. Think about it this way, if you’re buying organic produce, which let’s be real, can be kind of pricey.

Speaker 1 (02:46):

Definitely.

Speaker 2 (02:47):

Well, using a wash is like protecting your investment. You’re making sure you’re getting the most out of those fancy strawberries.

Speaker 1 (02:53):

That’s a really good point. I hate it when I splurge on organic and then it goes bad before I can even eat half of it

Speaker 2 (02:59):

The worst.

Speaker 1 (03:00):

Okay, so say I’m sold on the whole produce wash thing. What else can I do to keep my fridge from turning into a produce graveyard?

Speaker 2 (03:07):

Okay, this is important. After you’ve given everything a good wash, you got to dry it properly. Seriously, moisture is like the enemy.

Speaker 1 (03:16):

You’re telling me I shouldn’t just throw those wet berries back in the container.

Speaker 2 (03:20):

Take an extra minute, pat ’em dry. Thank me later. And here’s where it gets a little more interesting Storage. So did you know certain fruits and veggies? They release this gas and it actually makes other produce ripen faster.

Speaker 1 (03:35):

Wait, what? Seriously?

Speaker 2 (03:36):

Yeah, it’s called ethylene gas. And don’t worry, it’s totally natural. But if you’re trying to keep things fresh for as long as possible, it’s something to watch out for.

Speaker 1 (03:44):

So which foods are the biggest culprits?

Speaker 2 (03:46):

Oh, the usual suspects. Bananas, apples, avocados, that kind of thing.

Speaker 1 (03:52):

Get out. So my bananas are secretly trying to sabotage my spinach over here.

Speaker 2 (03:56):

Pretty much that ethylene gas from your bananas. It can actually make your spinach wilt faster,

Speaker 1 (04:02):

And

Speaker 2 (04:02):

That’s why being strategic about your storage is key.

Speaker 1 (04:06):

Strategic storage, huh?

Speaker 2 (04:07):

It’s all about creating the perfect environment for each type of produce. Separate those ethylene producing fruits from your leafy greens, your berries, all that delicate stuff.

Speaker 1 (04:17):

Okay? So don’t store my apples and spinach together. Got it?

Speaker 2 (04:21):

Then here’s a wild one for you. Did you know it’s actually better to store things like potatoes and onions in a cool dark place instead of the fridge?

Speaker 1 (04:29):

No way. Seriously.

Speaker 2 (04:31):

Yeah. The fridge can actually make them go bad faster.

Speaker 1 (04:33):

Who knew? So I need to create a separate wing in my fridge just for my ethylene producing fruit,

Speaker 2 (04:40):

Right? It’s a whole system.

Speaker 1 (04:41):

I’m starting to think my fridge organization skills need an upgrade

Speaker 2 (04:45):

Way. We all start somewhere, right?

Speaker 1 (04:47):

True, true. This is all super helpful though. It’s kind of freeing to realize it’s not about being perfect. I don’t need to be a produce saving superhero or something.

Speaker 2 (04:59):

The author actually talks about that. Yeah, nobody’s perfect. Life happens. Sometimes your avocado gets bruised or you forget about that lettuce at the back of the fridge.

Speaker 1 (05:08):

Oh, tell me about it. I’ve lost many ahead of lettuce that way. But hey, if incorporating even just a few of these tips can help me actually eat more of the food I buy, then that’s a win in my book.

Speaker 2 (05:19):

Exactly. Less waste is a good thing. Plain and simple. Good for the environment and for our grocery bills, right?

Speaker 1 (05:25):

Speaking of, imagine if we could all stretch our produce lifespan by what even just a couple of days a week. That would add up to some serious savings over time. Plus no more tossing out wilty spinach or those mushy tomatoes

Speaker 2 (05:41):

The

Speaker 1 (05:41):

Worst. So to sum it all up, taking care of our produce, it’s about more than just a quick rinse, right? It’s like we’re becoming produce whisperers, learning their secrets, like that whole ethylene gas thing and how important storage is.

Speaker 2 (05:55):

It’s about respecting the food we buy and making a choice to be more mindful about how we use it.

Speaker 1 (06:02):

This deep dive has been amazing. My mind is officially blown. No more produce graveyard for me. In fact, if I keep this up, I might just save enough money to finally buy that fancy avocado slicer I’ve been wanting. But hey, that’s a topic for another day. Thanks for listening everybody. And remember, even small changes can make a big difference when it comes to reducing waste and enjoying fresher taste your food. Until next time.