English

Japan’s agriculture ministry says Hot weather has caused some vegetables to grow larger than normal.

English

Although they can be eaten, they are sometimes thrown away because their size and shape do not meet market standards.

Explanation

「市場（ichiba）」 means “market”—a place where people buy and sell goods. So, for example, a street market where small-scale vendors sell food and daily necessities is called 「市場」. You can also use the katakana loanword 「マーケット（maaketto）」.
The kanji for 「いちば（ichiba）」 can also be read as 「しじょう（shijoo）」. It refers to an organized market or exchange — a place for buying and selling commodities that is typically open only to members or industry professionals. You’ll hear both of these words used often in Japanese.
The products at a 「市場」 must meet certain 「規格（kikaku）」, that is, standards. For example, there are rules regarding the size and shape of vegetables and fruits.

English

In August, a company in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward launched a new service collecting and selling such vegetables.

English

To date the company has sold five kinds of items, including overgrown pumpkins and large, crooked cucumbers.

Explanation

「かぼちゃ（kabocha）」 is “pumpkin,” and 「きゅうり（kyuuri）」 is “cucumber.” Vegetable vocabulary is a topic for another show, but some other common ones （that listeners are likely familiar with） are 「なす（nasu）」, which is “eggplant” or “aubergine,” 「にんじん（ninjin）」, which is “carrot,”　and 「ほうれんそう（hoorensoo）」, which is “spinach.” Vegetables that are not native to Japan go by a katakana name. So tomatoes are 「トマト（tomato）」and zucchini are 「ズッキーニ（zukkiini）」.

English

A company in the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture is selling nonstandard vegetables and fruits on the internet.

English

More and more companies hope to reduce food waste by providing services that are beneficial to both vegetable growers and consumers.