Agrovision, a Los Angeles-based year-round supplier of premium superfruits, including The Fruitist brand, has signed an agreement with Seattle-based RipeLocker, a provider of postharvest industry technology designed to extend the life of high-value crops and perishables, according to a news release.
RipeLocker’s patented, low-atmosphere vacuum chambers put fruit to “sleep,” delaying aging and decay, maintaining optimal freshness for up to 12 weeks without loss of quality, the release said. RipeLocker also is working with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to optimize storage and disinfestation of perishables.
Agrovision says the technology advances its ability to provide a higher-quality superfruit supply, 52 weeks a year. At the retail level, consumers across the globe can expect a “better berry,” with more aroma, crunch, flavor and higher nutritional value, indistinguishable from fresh-picked, while reducing shrink, the release said.
“Agrovision is fully committed to reliably advancing the highest quality superfruits to consumers for healthier snacking 365 days a year, and we believe this partnership with RipeLocker will be a needle mover,” said Agrovision co-founder, CEO and Executive Chairman Steve Magami. “The implications of this advancement are far-reaching: We can ensure prolonged freshness, access more distant markets and introduce high-flavor varietals previously limited by shorter shelf lives. This partnership is just one of the many that we have lined up to commercialize game-changing technologies.”
Agrovision also says it will incorporate the technology into its global market offerings including consumer-facing brand, The Fruitist, which offers new varietals of handpicked berries grown on farms in microclimate terroirs around the globe.
“RipeLocker collaborates with forward-thinking operators to overcome barriers and drive positive change in the industry,” said George Lobisser, RipeLocker CEO and co-founder. “We are thrilled to provide Agrovision with a technology to enable differentiation of their ‘The Fruitist’ brand with better tasting, more nutritious and longer shelf-life fruit to the consumer.”
RipeLocker chambers are a patented technology that manages the pressure and gas composition (oxygen and carbon dioxide) within the chambers to extend the life of fresh produce, flowers and tree nuts, the release said. Based on the specific needs of each type of perishable, RipeLocker tailors operating parameters, such as internal pressure, oxygen and CO2 levels, to optimize longevity and freshness. The system continuously reports operating data, enabling real-time decision making.
RipeLocker says it designed its pallet-sized chambers to be easily deployed and used in the existing cold chain.
