Cincinnati-based retailer and nation’s largest traditional grocer, Kroger Co. has become the 1st national retailer offering a new line of longer lasting produce. Kroger will now offer Apeel Sciences’ longer-lasting avocados in all its stores (more than 1,100 stores).
Kroger ran an avocado expansion pilot program for a year in 109 Midwest stores that seeded this expansion idea. The Krogerfeedback survey helped solidify this approach and take action. Furthermore it has plans to launch a similar program of Apeel asparagus and limes in all its Cincinnati stores this fall. Kroger has built a Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative which focuses on going green and reducing food waste nationwide. These products are being added as part of the same drive.
Apeel is using plant derived technology to add an extra peel to the vegetables it produces in order to slow the rate of water loss and oxidation that leads to spoiling of the foodstuff. It aims to almost triple the shelf life of many such perishable goods in order to reduce overall food waste. Around 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. is thrown away. All this happens while 1 in 8 Americans struggle with hunger. Other than this the food waste also equally contributes to 8 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions according to Kroger and Apeel. It is considered a top cause of climate change.
Kroger vice president of produce Frank Remero has mentioned in the company’s statement that Apeel’s innovative food-based solution has proved to extend life of perishable produce which leads to reduction of food waste not only in transport and retail stores but also in consumer’s homes. And they are looking forward to the long term association.
