3 ms·

Those economics probably apply to some level, but the difference is more about the grade/quality of produce that can be hidden in a freezer bag of processed chu

Those economics probably apply to some level, but the difference is more about the grade/quality of produce that can be hidden in a freezer bag of processed chunks vs what consumers expect to see in a grocers bin of fresh veggies. Ugly cheap bulk and semi-failed crops can go to processing and more carefully/successfully produced stuff goes to various grocers. In the US at least, you’ll also see differences in grade depending on the demographic of the grocery store. Community markets will sell cheaper produce that’s maybe softer, less ripe, more bruised, or just kind ugly and bougie markets will sell pretty veggies at higher price+margin. https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/vegetables https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/vegetables

Xylakant 4y ago
Definitely, you can hide a carrot that not looking great in frozen chunks, but that alone doesn’t mean that you’ll get worse quality. It will lead to less wastage, though. People are often obsessed with the look of food items, to the point that supermarket groceries are bred to look good, regardless of taste. Also, clearly, if you buy 0.99 dollar/kilo frozen peas you’ll likely get worse quality than 10.99 dollars/kilo fresh. But dollar against dollar, frozen vegetables will very likely be higher quality than you can buy fresh. Unless you’re buying straight from the farm - but most folks don’t.