Seed breeder wants to encourage ‘more moments and new eating habits’ to help stimulate fruit and veg consumption
Dutch breeder Rijk Zwaan has created a vending machine that dispenses boxes of snacking vegetables to help increase consumption of fresh produce among young people.
The boxes, demonstrated on the company’s stand at Fruit Logistica last week, included snacking peppers and cucumbers, along with a pot of hummus for dipping.
The selection is packed into a colourful red box and delivered via a vending machine, such as those used to dispense crisps or sweets.
Manager of chain and retail at Rijk Zwaan, Jan Doldersum, said the company had been looking into barriers to consumption. “We need to create more moments and reframe habits,” he said, adding that there has been interest among some German retailers in trialling the vending machines in store.
Elsewhere on the Rijk Zwaan stand, the company showcased its focus on crunchy veg, including lettuce and cucumber varieties, with an interactive game.
Passersby could press one of two buttons, which prompted a loud crunch coming from an overhead speaker, before guessing which vegetable created the sound.
Disease resistance and reduction of chemicals were also on display with the company’s range of ToBRFV-resistant tomatoes, lettuce suited to hydroponic production and its newly launched Iceberg varieties with resistance to aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri.
