Summary Report No Food Left Behind: Underutilized Produce Ripe for Alternative Markets

The report details research and stakeholder discussions regarding the under-utilization of specialty crops in the US. It highlights significant in-field losses—such as 50% for fresh tomatoes and 36% on average for crops in North Carolina—driven by strict cosmetic standards and economic barriers. The document outlines four envisioned future states: implementing full-cost accounting for food, increasing ubiquitous access to healthy produce, integrating regional food systems with industrial agriculture, and removing food safety barriers to donation. It concludes with a practical example of 'concurrent harvesting' used by Imperfect Produce to create markets for 'seconds'.

• Research on specialty crops in the US reveals high variability in post-harvest loss; for example, romaine lettuce in Arizona showed the highest in-field loss rates, while potatoes in Idaho showed the lowest. Fresh tomatoes experienced high loss rates, averaging around 50% during four harvests in one season, and had the highest packhouse loss rates.
• In North Carolina, an average of 36% loss occurred in the field across measured crops. These losses are categorized as 'marketable' (meeting buyer specs but unharvested due to labor/cost), 'edible' (nutritious but with cosmetic deficiencies), and 'unfit' (decayed or over-mature). High edible losses were specifically noted for cucumbers and cabbage.
• Growers often decide to leave produce in the field because the economics of harvesting off-grade produce are not viable, and there is a lack of value-added opportunities beyond the fresh market. Factors influencing the decision to stop harvesting include the risk of buyer rejection, whether the price supports harvest costs, and the availability of a ready buyer.
• Life-cycle assessments (LCAs) for specific crops indicate that romaine lettuce requires the most energy to produce, primarily due to tractor diesel use, while fresh tomatoes have the highest water usage rates.
• Significant barriers to food donation include a lack of funding for transport from farms to food banks, insufficient cold storage at food banks, and confusing or restrictive regulations. Some association requirements, such as avocado growers paying a fee for every item harvested regardless of destination, further disincentivize donation.
• The conference identified four potential future states for the US food system: 'Food Full-Cost Accounting' (pricing in externalities like soil erosion and living wages), 'Healthy Food for All' (making produce more affordable than processed foods), 'Supporting Farmers Large and Small' (integrating regional food systems with industrial agriculture), and 'Food Safe and Donation Sound' (eliminating donation barriers).
• The practice of 'concurrent harvesting' allows for the rescue of nutritious 'seconds' (produce with cosmetic inefficiencies) while market-grade produce is being harvested, ensuring growers are compensated for harvesting, packing, cooling, and storage costs.

APA

WWF International (2018). Summary Report No Food Left Behind: Underutilized Produce Ripe for Alternative Markets. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/639/5bu5zw3rnt_No_Food_Left_Behind_2018_Conference_Summary_Report.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Summary Report No Food Left Behind: Underutilized Produce Ripe for Alternative Markets. 2018. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/639/5bu5zw3rnt_No_Food_Left_Behind_2018_Conference_Summary_Report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Summary Report No Food Left Behind: Underutilized Produce Ripe for Alternative Markets |date=2 March 2018 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/639/5bu5zw3rnt_No_Food_Left_Behind_2018_Conference_Summary_Report.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2018summary, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Summary Report No Food Left Behind: Underutilized Produce Ripe for Alternative Markets}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2018}, month = mar, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/639/5bu5zw3rnt_No_Food_Left_Behind_2018_Conference_Summary_Report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }