Verdant Technologies says is partnering with Sobeys Inc. to expand 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, according to a news release. 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.
Verdant Technologies says HarvestHold Fresh 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.
Empire Company Ltd., the parent company of Sobeys, was the first major grocery retailer in North America to adopt the technology, the release said. Since 2022, Empire's growing partners have been using the iceless HarvestHold technology in bunch broccoli packing in Quebec and Ontario at its Sobeys, IGA, Foodland and FreschCo banner stores.
In 2024, the partners plan to expand nationally as part of new supply chain innovation and sustainability initiative, the release said.
"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," Myriam Tremblay, vice president for produce merchandise, sourcing and replenishment at Sobeys, said in the release.
"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," she added. "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 overripening and spoilage. Verdant Technologies says the active ingredient in HarvestHold Fresh blocks ethylene, delaying ripening and allowing fruits and vegetables to maintain their natural flavor 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 iceless broccoli — offers enhanced workplace safety with reduced slip and fall risks from melted ice, the release said. By eliminating the traditional shipping approach, growers and retailers can save up to 13,000 liters of water required per each truckload of broccoli, and customers can enjoy the product knowing it also has a smaller environmental footprint, the company says.
"Our pilot studies have demonstrated HarvestHold Fresh's transformative impact on the broccoli supply chain," Matthew Aronson, chief revenue officer for Verdant Technologies, said in the release.
Sobeys is collaborating with its strategic grower partners to integrate HarvestHold Fresh into other commodities and geographies later this year, according to the release.
