Produce packing innovation extends shelf-life,
replaces ice, and creates transport efficiencies.
CENTENNIAL, Colo., April 8,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Verdant Technologies is
expanding the adoption of its HarvestHold Fresh® product in
Canada to improve the
sustainability and efficiency of the North American broccoli supply
chain. HarvestHold Fresh is an in-box sheet that uses an
industry-standard ingredient, widely used in commodities like
apples and flowers for more than two decades to extend freshness
and shelf-life. HarvestHold Fresh is placed in produce boxes
immediately after harvest to slow ripening and maturation so that
produce can maintain its vitality and taste for longer. This
innovation eliminates the need for ice when transporting broccoli,
significantly reducing water use and optimizing space, which
creates a more sustainable method of shelf-life preservation and
makes transportation more efficient.
Produce packing innovation extends
shelf-life, replaces ice, and creates transport efficiencies.
Empire Company Limited, parent company of Sobeys Inc. was the
first major grocery retailer in North
America to adopt the technology. Since 2022, Empire's
growing partners have been using the ice-less HarvestHold
technology in bunch broccoli packing in Quebec and Ontario at its Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, and
FreschCo banner stores. The collaboration is a major development in
building a more sustainable and efficient broccoli supply chain. In
2024, the partners plan to expand nationally as part of new supply
chain innovation and sustainability initiative.
"Stemming from a hugely successful pilot in Ontario and Quebec, we are now working with growers across
North America to expand the
learnings to the entire broccoli supply chain—and what we learned
was that we can realize the benefits of reduced water use, less
spoilage, and fewer trucks needed for transporting produce, while
improving freshness in the customer's produce grocery basket," said
Myriam Tremblay, VP Produce
Merchandise, Sourcing & Replenishment, Sobeys Inc. "Working
with Verdant and partnering in this initiative has enabled us to
implement a truly unique farm-to-plate innovation that provides
advantages at each stage of the supply chain. We're excited to see
what can happen at a national scale and hope to see it used with
other commodities coming into our stores."
After fruits and vegetables are harvested, they release
ethylene, a naturally occurring compound that accelerates the
ripening process and eventually leads to over-ripening and
spoilage. The active ingredient in HarvestHold Fresh blocks
ethylene, delaying ripening and allowing fruits and vegetables to
maintain their natural flavour and nutrients for a longer period
without altering taste or nutritional value. This also results in
less food spoilage and waste, reduced energy and carbon emissions
involved in preparing and transporting, and in the case
of ice-less broccoli, offers enhanced workplace safety with reduced
slip and fall risks from melted ice. By eliminating the traditional
shipping approach, growers and retailers can save up to 13,000
litres of water required per each truckload of broccoli—and
customers can enjoy the product knowing it also has a smaller
environmental footprint.
"Our pilot studies have demonstrated HarvestHold Fresh's
transformative impact on the broccoli supply chain," said
Matthew Aronson, Chief Revenue
Officer of Verdant Technologies. "Through our collaborative
approach with Sobeys and its grower partners, we've shown that
broccoli transported without ice using HarvestHold Fresh retains
its fresh, vibrant green hue and firmness up to a week longer than
its ice-shipped counterparts. These findings not only confirm the
effectiveness of HarvestHold Fresh, but also set a new benchmark in
produce logistics and environmental stewardship."
Sobeys is collaborating with its strategic grower partners to
integrate HarvestHold Fresh into other commodities and geographies
later this year. For more information on Verdant Technologies,
visit https://verdant-tech.com.
About Verdant Technologies:
Verdant™ Technologies is an emerging leader in the ag tech
industry, offering product life extension technology for the
produce industry, including HarvestHold Fresh® for fruits and
vegetables. Verdant Technologies and its partners work hand-in-hand
to reduce negative environmental impacts and help bring nourishment
to more people in more places. Verdant Technologies has corporate
offices in Denver, CO, and
St. Paul, MN. More information can
be found at www.verdant-tech.com.
About HarvestHold Fresh:
HarvestHold Fresh uses 1-MCP, an ingredient that has been
safely employed by the produce industry for over two decades to
extend the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. With a unique
slow-release technology, 3rd party research has shown
HarvestHold Fresh to be more effective than traditional 1-MCP
delivery methods, giving produce growers, marketers and retailers
the ability to unlock the new areas of value for their operations,
extend the shelf-life of their products, and help meet their
commitments to reducing food waste.
ABOUT EMPIRE
Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A) is a Canadian company
headquartered in Stellarton, Nova
Scotia. Empire's key businesses are food retailing, through
wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc., and related real estate. With
approximately $30.7 billion in annual
sales and $16.6 billion in assets,
Empire and its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates employ
approximately 131,000 people. Additional financial information
relating to Empire, including the Company's Annual Information
Form, can be found on the Company's website at
www.empireco.ca or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca
Media contacts:
Verdant Technologies – Steven Oklesh
steven.oklesh@verdant-tech.com
steven.oklesh@verdant-tech.com
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SOURCE Verdant Technologies