In my recent article, on the key takeaways from the Seeds&Chips food innovation summit in Milan, I featured the game-changing American company, Apeel Sciences. Its solution to food waste left me in awe, and it is a pleasure to learn that, from today, Costco and Harps Food Stores will be selling Apeel avocados. For the ones that have missed my article, Apeel adds a thin extra layer of peel to the surface of fresh produce, which is made of the same substance of the produce’s skin. The layer naturally prolongs the shelf life of produce, making it the perfect solution for unnecessary food waste. Longer shelf life also means that produce can be harvested at the perfect ripeness, increasing its nutritional value and tasting profile.
The project has been backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, among others, for post-harvest loss reduction programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Apeel’s extra layer of protection will allow small-scale farmers in developing countries, that don’t have access to refrigeration, to get more crops to the market, thus increasing food availability.
The avocados will be supplied by Del Rey, fair trade produced, and Eco Farms, both offering conventional and organic varieties of avocados.
James Rogers
“We’re excited to be working with exceptional partners as they share our vision of a food system that provides better quality food for all and less waste. With our partners, we believe we can increase the availability and accessibility of high quality, nutritious produce while simultaneously preserving our natural resources and environment,” said James Rogers, CEO and Founder of Apeel Sciences.
Costco is the second largest retailer in the world, making its 746 stores a superb opportunity for Apeel Sciences to debut on consumers dining room tables.
We can’t wait to see Apeel in Europe soon.
