What is a fruit "second"?

 

"Seconds" refers to any produce that is unsuitable for sale at the market. Produce can become a second when it is cosmetically undesirable, damaged, a non-standard size, or the wrong age at harvest. Seconds account for up to 30% of all produce grown in Canada per year and often end up going to waste, which can severely damage a small farmer's business.

 

How does the Re-Fresh Project involve seconds?

 

The Re-Fresh Project aims to connect farmers and breweries within Ontario to create fruit-infused beers from fruit seconds. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the demand for fruit-infused, limited-run beers. The Re-Fresh project aims to make the creation of these beers much easier by allowing brewers to find the fruit they need. For farmers, it will help to eliminate some, if not most, of the fruit wasted on their farms.

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By creating these new relationships between Ontario's farmers and breweries, the Re-Fresh project aims to tackle the food waste problem and support local businesses while also creating delicious, craft, fruit-infused beers!