What do you think about Washington state farmers dumping $100M worth of apples?

1. 81

   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   What do you think about Washington state farmers dumping $100M worth of apples?
   
   A record crop of apples, coupled with the West Coast port slowdown earlier this year, is taking a toll on Washington apple growers. Nearly $100 million worth of apples that cannot be sold have been dumped into fields across central Washington. The apples are being left to rot and compost in the hot sun. Doesn't it seem like these apples could have been given away to food shelters across the country? Many years ago I recall dairy famers dumping milk to maintain price levels. If they can't make a profit on something they'd rather destroy it. Does this seem morally right to you?
   
   

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2. 80

   sallieannluvslifeposted 8 years ago

   No, this is not right, in any way, shape or form...those apples could easily be made into applesauce and feed thousands of people something nutritious and healthy.  What a travesty!  How many pies, Jewish apple cakes, fritters or brown bettys could I make with all those apples?!?!

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      sallieannluvslifeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I do not see why some businesses will not donate leftover products to homeless shelters, churches, schools or  women's shelters and other businesses, like Panera Bread, donate every last unused product they have...it just doesn't make sense....

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   2. 90

      Patty Inglish, MSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Here, many groceries don't want lawsuits for illnesses via outdated foods & put locks on dumpsters. Some loss of discarded/outdated food are covered by insurance; business owners want that $$. If they donate, IRS deduction is less. No, it'snot ni

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3. 94

   peeplesposted 8 years ago

   There is nothing about this that is RIGHT! Everything about this is WRONG!!! In the USA an estimated $165 BILLION of food is wasted each year with much of it going in the trash before it ever reaches the consumers. In other countries there is a movement building to hold businesses accountable for this. Sadly people are idiots in many ways, especially here in America where everything needs to be perfect. Would it really interrupt someone's day so much to cut a soft spot off an apple or banana?!
   Companies like Walmart and other big chain grocery stores go so far as to only use compactors to keep dumpster divers from getting free stuff out of the dumpsters. Instead of someone actually using it or them giving it away they put it in a dumpster that they can squeeze up to destroy any product inside. Do you realize we could feed every hungry person in this country with the amount of stuff thrown away?! I find it sickening! It reminds me of when I was a child. My parents were cutting behind a walmart store and saw a bunch of employees beating bikes with bats. My dad pulled up and asked them what they were doing and they told him walmart required them to destroy them since they couldn't sell them. This was in the days before compactors. Truly sad!!

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Absolutely! Wal-mart is one of the worst human rights offenders on the planet for so many reasons.  I refuse to shop there unless there is just no other option and thankfully that isn't very often!

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4. 41

   ChristinSposted 8 years ago

   No, it's morally repugnant in a country where people are going hungry every day to be so wasteful.  I remember my very first job many moons ago was at a famous chicken restaurant.  We were allowed to take a piece or two home at the end of the night, but we were told in no uncertain terms that to take food from the restaurant to donate or give away was an offense you could be fired for.  That was one of the first moments I realized how selfish, egocentric and illogical many big businesses are.  It was shameful then and it's shameful now.

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5. 93

   FatFreddysCatposted 8 years ago

   Dang. Just imagine all of the Angry Orchard hard apple cider that could've been made from those apples!!

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6. 90

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 8 years ago

   Food wasted over a ports dispute? -- I am disgusted with this waste and especially for a dispute being used for the reason. This type of action seems to be a part of the American business landscape. Some people in business would rather throw away product than help people and I don't think that will change. 
   
   In the 1950s, farmers dumped milk and coffee into the Gulf of Mexico in order to raise retail prices with a false shortage. Then, the feds starting paying farmers not to grow crops.
   
   In 2005, Ohio had 6 years' worth of corn rotting in silos and added more; then a documentary about corn-based fuel Ethanol showed that the corn ears were not even used for the fuel, but only the green parts, and the corn ears were thrown away.
   
   Central Ohio grocery stores throw away a lot of outdated food instead of donating it and take insurance money for part of their losses.   
   
   Large quantities of crops and food animals are tossed away every year. The waste is wrong; and why raise and kill animals for food, just to throw them away?
   
   Then we have Monsanto controlling crop seeds, except that heritage seed farmers are gaining some control back.
   
   My opinion is that the farmers could have sold the apples to Washington local makers of applesauce, baby food, jams/jellies, and animal feed. 
   
   Thanks for the question.

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7. 94

   jansharesposted 8 years ago

   WOW! Really? The apples were trashed because of overage? Were they good apples? Why can't they be sold? Please tell me there's more to this that I'm missing. $100 million worth of apples gone to waste is mind-boggling. Those would have been perfect to hand out at the breakfast ministry I run at my church. There are so many children (and adults for that matter) who don't get enough fresh fruit in their diets. Ey-yi-yi!

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   1. 90

      Patty Inglish, MSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The apples probably can be retrieved for jelly, apple juice, baby food and animal feed, even if they were starting to soften - unless there is a health regulation against that. A church could go and get them!

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