MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Soon consumers may be able to know when food was picked, how nutritious it is and whether it contains pesticides just with the push of a button.

Target is developing a prototype gun that scans produce and lets consumers know where the fruit was grown, and how long it is going to last.

Greg Shewmaker, Target's 'Entrepreneur-In-Residence' came up with the idea.

"We know less about the food we eat today than in any other time in history," Shewmaker said.

Each wavy line measures a particular level, such as for Vitamin C, antioxidants or moisture, which can indicate the ripeness of each piece of fruit.

Target hopes to eventually equip consumers with their own hand-held devices or smartphone apps so they scan the food themselves.