Unfit bananas from West Australia, rejected by supermarkets due to blemishes or incorrect size and shape, are being repurposed instead of being wasted. A new freeze-drying facility in Carnarvon, located 900 kilometers north of Perth, offers an alternative for these bananas, which are otherwise perfectly consumable. The facility has also amplified its freezing capacity for the fruit, allowing it to be sold and utilized in products like gelato and banana bread.
The facility's remote location is ideal for the local growers, who produce over 5,000 tonnes of bananas annually. Business manager Doriana Mangili stated their goal is to reach zero waste. "We want every single banana, that can be eaten, to be eaten or turned into some sort of food or food product," she said.
Moreover, Damaged Goods Distillery in Perth has been using waste produce to produce spirits, including trialling Gascoyne bananas in its vodka.
Source: abc.net.au