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Apples, boxed in, to protect fruit integrity
by The Grower
KAREN DAVIDSON
The last mile to market is the end of a marathon. That’s the thinking of Martin’s Family Fruit Farm, Waterloo Ontario, who consider delivery to the grocery store -- even if it’s local – to be worthy of packaging attention.
“We developed these corrugated boxes in the late summer of 2020,” explains Greg Nogler, COO, for Martin’s Family Fruit Farm. “And then shared the design with other apple suppliers to Costco in British Columbia and Nova Scotia.”
The design for 5.5 pounds of Honeycrisp apples is exclusive to Costco. The corrugated cardboard consists of 100 per cent post-consumer waste and is recyclable. But just as importantly, Nogler points out that the box protects the integrity of the fruit. First, the fruit does not need to be handled by employees. And secondly, the bonus is that consumers aren’t touching the fruit either. The box is sealed and closed.
“I’m big on trademarking our efforts,” says Nogler. We have trademarked the name Apple Caddy™ with its two layers of apples separated by a paper pad which prevents jostling in transit. Apples are also held in place if there’s side-to-side motion. The Honeycrisp box typically holds 11 to 12 apples. As most growers will attest, fragile Honeycrisp apples benefit with packing care. Also, about the same time, the company experimented with flat paperboard wrapped around two-pack and six-pack apples. Nogler says that less handling means better fruit quality and less waste.
Martin’s Family Fruit Farm has not changed its habits for purchasing packaging, staying local to North American suppliers. “Many of our suppliers are actually in Canada,” says Nogler. “We do have a preference for closer to home.”
Apples bagged in plastic and fastened with a ponytail clip are still popular. However, discerning consumers will notice that the clip is no longer plastic but made of bio-fibres. It’s one more bullet point in the sustainability story of Martin’s Family Fruit Farm.
It’s Reliable. • It’s Recyclable. • It’s a Billboard.
For all theses reasons and more, the corrugated box is your safe bet.
To learn more visit us at www.cccabox.org
