Whether it’s by using recyclable packaging, installing solar energy systems or implementing myriad other environmentally friendly practices, berry grower-shippers say they’re committed to sustainability.
Water management, integrated pest management, composting, mulching and using drones and other tools to enhance efficiency and minimize resource consumption are some of the sustainable efforts adopted by Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe Farms, said Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability.
This year, 6 acres of solar panels are being installed in Delano, Calif., powering one of the company’s largest blueberry operations. In addition, more than 25% of Naturipe’s production is packed and cooled with renewable energy in key regions like New Jersey, California and Chile.
“Combined, these advancements partially contribute to Naturipe lowering its total carbon emissions by 100,000 metric tons,” she said. During the past four years, Naturipe’s growers have made significant investments in solar energy.
“Last year, our flagship cooler in Watsonville, Calif., installed rooftop and solar parking canopies to power their operation,” McIntosh said. “Our growers in Chile also recently celebrated the installation of the largest floating solar plant in South America.”
Irvine, Calif.-based Gem-Pack Berries continuously strives to improve and maximize sustainable practices, said Michelle Deleissegues, vice president of marketing.
“We have worked diligently on the reduction of packaging content, for example, reducing the corrugated content of berry trays, yet still maintaining the tray integrity,” she said.
Gem-Pack uses all recyclable packaging, including biaxially oriented polypropylene, or BOPP, labels that are recyclable as bottle caps and enable the clamshells to go into the bottle recycle stream.
“We are also partnering with BADP (Bio Accelerated Degradable Plastic) America to explore degradable plastic alternatives, as well as Earthmade Foods to trial farming techniques using zero chemicals or heavy metals,” she said.
Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries has spent the past few years stepping up its efforts and achievements in sustainability, said Cindy Jewell, who handles marketing for the company.
“We began with focusing on protecting the land we farm on and reducing waste,” she said.
Bobalu Berries has initiated a policy to harvest every berry.
“Whether the fruit goes into the fresh box or a bucket to be diverted to the processor, our employees are committed to harvesting every berry off the plants to ensure there is no waste and to keep the plants free from pests by not just dropping lesser-quality fruit into the ditch,” Jewell said.
This process reduces waste and increases productivity, she said. And the harvest staff is paid extra for the additional fruit harvested.
Bobalu Berries also has redesigned its packaging, using 95% post-consumer recycled plastics in its clamshell containers and shifting to fully recyclable labels.
“The box and packaging configuration we utilize also allows for more fruit per truckload,” Jewell said. “That has resulted in reduced gas emissions [equivalent to] about 11,000 fewer miles each year.”
Consalo Family Farms and The Fresh Wave storage and distribution facilities in Vineland, N.J., constantly monitor the latest trends in sustainable packaging, said Chelsea Consalo, executive vice president.
“Right now, we have been looking into a few new packaging styles, but not without challenges,” she said.
In the past, the company has conducted trials with paperboard trays for blueberries that are 100% recyclable.
The company also is proud of its efforts in water conservation.
“Our advanced drip irrigation systems on the farms deliver the precise amount of water to crops at specific intervals,” Consalo said. “This eliminates the use of any excess water.”
Grower-shippers say their customers often are great partners in their journey to a more sustainable future.
Two examples of customer-driven initiatives at Naturipe are the adoption of the Ethical Charter and the protection of pollinators around environmental sustainability, McIntosh said.
“Naturipe Farms is on the advisory committee of ECIP, the Ethical Charter Implementation Program, and the first to add farms to the program,” she said. “Additionally, our growers understand the importance of bee health and have installed over a thousand acres of pollinator habitats throughout North and South America.”
Many Gem-Pack customers are invested in sustainability and want to know how they can work with the company “to forge a more sustainable food network,” Deleissegues said.
“Some have implemented required annual surveying in order to capture and track carbon footprint,” she said.
Bobalu Berries has some specific customers who asked the company to join its sustainability efforts to positively impact the environment, Jewell said.
“We have embraced their programs and have seen some significant results in working together on sustainability,” she said.
One customer reported that the companies’ combined efforts have resulted in nearly 1.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions saved, she said.
“We look forward to more achievements in the future and plan to continue to increase our in-roads in this area,” she said.
