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From rescued oranges to imperfect vegetables, collaboration gives surplus produce a second chance while supporting food rescue efforts
Would you have ever thought a fruit could be deemed unusable just because it had a few scratches on its skin?
Behind those superficial blemishes lies a bigger problem: perfectly edible produce being rejected before it ever reaches our plates.
Tug Gelato and The Lost Food Project (TLFP) are working to change that perception, turning surplus fruit into gourmet treats and rescued produce into meals for families in need.
Their collaboration takes centre stage at the Farmers Market at Tug 3.0 in Mont Kiara from Oct 16 to 18, between 9am and 6pm.
Timed to coincide with World Food Day, the Farmers Market encourages shoppers to look beyond picture-perfect produce and recognise the value of food that might otherwise go to waste.
From rejected oranges to gelato
Tug’s approach to sustainability began with a simple idea: giving imperfect fruit a second chance. Its partnership with TLFP brings that philosophy into the community, showing how rescued produce can become something people are genuinely excited to eat.
One example is Tug’s Orange Panna Cotta & Pistachios gelato, made using surplus oranges that might otherwise be discarded.
We had the pleasure of trying it and the first spoonful brought back memories of childhood trips to the morning market, where orange-flavoured biscuits were sold by weight.
That familiar citrusy taste felt nostalgic, while the panna cotta and pistachios gave the flavour a more indulgent finish.
The gelato makes its point without needing to preach.
Fruit does not have to look perfect to taste good and transforming surplus produce into an appealing dessert offers a delicious reminder that appearance should not determine its worth.
Additionally, the collaboration will continue beyond the three-day market, with Tug rotating gelato flavours and dessert specials based on the surplus fruit and vegetables available.
Ten per cent of profits from these specials will go to TLFP, with flavours varying weekly and available while stocks last.
The charity offering runs until Nov 30, extending the fundraising effort beyond the launch weekend.
Giving good food a second chance
The Farmers Market also gives visitors the opportunity to take home curated bags of surplus produce supplied by Euro-Atlantic, alongside generous fruit and vegetable contributions from First Pick Fresh.
The idea is to challenge the assumption that produce with irregular shapes, uneven sizes or surface marks is somehow less desirable.
These cosmetic imperfections do not necessarily affect its quality, yet they can contribute to food being overlooked or rejected.
The market turns that problem into a practical way for the public to help.
One contribution of RM5 helps TLFP provide 20 nutritious meals to families facing food insecurity, while visitors can adopt a bag of surplus produce in return.
All proceeds from the Farmers Market go to TLFP, supporting its food rescue work.
For the organisation, rescuing food addresses food insecurity and environmental waste.
Edible produce can be redirected to people who need it instead of ending up in landfills, where decomposing food contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
It is a reminder food waste is not just about what gets thrown away at home.
It can begin much earlier, when perfectly usable ingredients are rejected because they do not meet expectations of how fresh produce should look.
Small choices, wider impact
Admission to the Farmers Market at Tug 3.0 in Mont Kiara is free but please take note visitors are encouraged to bring reusable bags.
For updates, follow @thelostfoodproject and @tug.gelato on Instagram.
And remember, an imperfect orange may be overlooked on a supermarket shelf, but it can still become someone’s favourite scoop of gelato.
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