According to Ynet, the Ministry of Agriculture is offering financial incentives to supermarket chains that will agree to sell [some] vegetables packaged in plastic containers rather than loose.
קופסאות פלסטיק לענבים ולקיווי: כבר התרגלנו. החידוש: תפוחים באריזת ">קופסאות פלסטיק לענבים ולקיווי: כבר התרגלנו. החידוש: תפוחים באריזת ">קופסאות פלסטיק לענבים ולקיווי: כבר התרגלנו. החידוש: תפוחים באריזת "שרינק"(צילום: מירב קריסטל)">
The Ministry of Agriculture is trying to solve, or lessen, a different problem - that of waste in the process of distribution and transport of some vegetables. They claim that selling the relevant vegetables in plastic containers rather than loose will decrease waste by 15%-17%, translating to as much as 20%-52% throughout the supply chain! It would also presumably decrease the amount of waste after the vegetables get to the consumer's home. The relevant vegetables (and fruit) are banana, cucumber, tomato, peppers, squash, cabbage and others, apples, nectarines, peaches, avocado and others. A chain that would sell 6 like this would get the financial reward, but a chain choosing to sell 10 or more would get even more.
The main benefit of packaging these vegetables is that they would retain their freshness and quality longer. On the other hand, customers would likely end up buying more as they would have to buy a package, or two or three, of cucumbers to get the amount they want even if it requires them to buy more, rather than just buy the 10 (or however many) cucumbers they want. Also, a package might look good on the outside, but some of the veggies further in that you cant see or feel might be lower quality. They claim your shopping will also go faster as a result, as you wont be feeling every cucumber and tomato you buy for freshness but would just take a package and move on. I dont think that is accurate - people will try to feel through the packaging, maybe they will even open the packaging and still feel the cucumbers, thus still ruining them! I think there might also be a health issue - people feel the vegetables and choose which to take and which to put back - someone with a cold or flu might leave his germs on the vegetables and spread his virus, while if in packaging it will keep consumers healthier.
Rami Levi supermarket chain suggests it is a good idea overall but will likely cause an increase in prices as the material and packing has to be paid for...
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