Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Canada’s plastics ban continued to make headlines throughout 2023, as produce industry leaders urged the Canadian government to take a more collaborative approach to fruit and vegetable packaging regulations.

When Emerald Packaging Inc. was established 60 years ago, the firm occupied 25,000 square feet and employed about 70 workers; the flexible packaging provider now has a 200,000-square-foot facility and 250 employees.

IFCO Systems has been providing the produce industry with reusable packaging containers since 1992, but it's still keeping up with the times, says Rick Overholt, vice president of grower sales.

While there's a need to reduce plastic waste, a Canadian proposal that would ban the produce industry from using plastic materials at this time would create catastrophic consequences, say Ron Lemaire and Dave Puglia.

The company said the new packaging, introduced to mark the start of the California citrus season, highlights its growing practices.