Oppy has revealed that it is now using Apeel’s plant-based solution to extend the shelf-life of its Eco Farms avocados grown in Mexico.
Having acquired a 65 per cent stake of Eco Farms in spring 2020, the fresh produce group is looking to add more value to its strategic avocado partnership with Apeel’s sustainable 'peel' coating.
“We are thrilled to team up with Apeel,” said Oppy’s director of sales and strategy for Eco Farms Mark Smith. “It was a natural fit for our partnership with Eco Farms.
'The brand’s Green is Good positioning and Apeel’s driving force of Food Gone Good, highlights our shared commitment of delivering high-quality fruit using sustainable practices,' Smith noted.
“Many of our retailers share those same values too, and will be able to capitalise on avocados that maintain ideal firmness longer, see less shrink and build larger displays with ripe, ready-to-eat fruit,' said Eco Farms sales director Gahl Crane. 'Ideally, the at-home eating experience for consumers will be notably better – with the added validation that their purchase makes a positive environmental impact.”
Noting that food waste was a major concern, Eco Farms and Oppy were excited to be involved with an initiative like Apeel which helps address it while building a stronger avocado category together with retail partners, Crane said.
“We are excited to partner with Oppy to extend the shelf-life of Eco Farms avocados through our plant-based protection that has proven to maintain quality and ripeness for twice as long as untreated produce,” outlined Erich Klawuhn, senior vice-president of product at Apeel.
“Our collaboration with sustainability-focused grower-marketers like Oppy has resulted in a massive reduction of food waste across the supply chain,' Klawuhn added. 'We look forward to extending all the benefits of Apeel produce to retailers throughout Oppy’s network, ultimately reducing waste right down to consumer households as well.”
Oppy’s Apeel programme will commence with Mexican grown Eco Farms-branded avocados, with the intention of extending into other countries of origin soon.
Oppy's premium organic and conventional avocados are grown in California, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico,
Inspired by nature, Apeel produce lasts up to two times longer thanks to its unique protection made from materials found in the peels, seeds and pulp of all fruits and vegetables.
The edible peel keeps moisture in and oxygen out, maintaining freshness and extending peak ripeness.
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