Harps Podcast on Food Technology

Harps Foods launched their inaugural podcast on January 6, 2023, which began with a discussion on biodynamic farming, food deserts and Apeel Sciences.

Harps Foods Vice President of Produce and Operations Mike Roberts was interviewed on the podcast. Biodynamic farming and how it is changing the agriculture industry was the first topic. Mike began the discussion by defining biodynamic farming as “managing the environment and soil...working with mother nature, instead of against her.” It is a way for land cultivators to develop a symbiotic relationship with their soil and have more efficient farmland management. The idea is to leave the land better than you found it. While organic products have provided healthier foods with more nutrients and enzymes, biodynamic farming is a much broader level that envelopes the entire environment. Good soil management produces better fruit and meat. For cattle, grazing on land efficiently fertilizes the soil and uses their waste effectively. There were several additional topics included in the informative podcast.

Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) uses one building from “seed to being packed,” saving on handling and transportation. Less water is used in a controlled building with appropriate lighting. These buildings can be placed where people need food–in food deserts. “If you can take the farm to the people, you can feed the people...in inner cities, small towns and even globally,” Roberts informed. Food shelf life was also discussed, noting that 40% of everything grown is thrown in the trash. It is our responsibility to not fill up landfills. Harps has been working with Apeel Sciences to lengthen produce freshness. Apeel extracts cutin, which is in the peel of fruits and keeps food from going bad. They turn this into a powder and mix it with water. The plant-based product is then applied to produce. Avocados are given a longer shelf life, with Harps seeing a 50% reduction in avocado waste. Learn more at apeel.com

Harps is currently looking at Hazel products. Similar to the packets in shoe boxes, Hazel packs keep cartons of food fresher in transit. More information at hazeltechnologies.com

Food Loop’s goal of “nothing wasted” serves both residential and businesses. They reduce food waste, transforming it into compost and compostable products. Everything except raw meat is placed in a bucket/bag and brought to a food dump-off location. Waste goes into barrels, then is turned into compost, and brought back to gardens and land in the environment–instead of landfills. Harps has partnered with them. Learn more at foodloops.net

“Providing our 143 produce managers with tools to order more efficiently, will assist in less food waste,” stated Mike. “A food store is a step in the food chain, striving to be more efficient with less waste.” He also added, that if you start your shopping trip with fresh produce, you tend to buy healthier foods and fresh meats to go with vegetables.

–excerpts from Harps Hometown Fresh Podcast, January 6, 2023 podcast

Double Up Food Bucks is a program Harps utilizes for SNAP users. Fresh fruits and veggies are bought with an EBT card, and then earn an immediate 50% off the total amount of fruits and vegetables purchased (which is applied towards future purchases). Learn more at DoubleUpHeartland.org