Bill Gates-Backed Apeel Avocados Rolling Out at Costco and Harps
SANTA BARBARA, CA - Anytime I hear avocado news, my ears perk up. Being from California, it’s hard not to be slightly avocado-obsessed. So imagine my delight when I heard that a Bill Gates-backed company would soon be supplying the green beauts to Costco and beyond.
Apeel Sciences, founded in 2012 with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announced that Del Rey Avocado Company would supply Apeel avocados to Costco stores in the United States' Midwest. Additionally, Apeel avocados supplied by Eco Farms have now become available at Harps Food Stores, an Associated Wholesale Grocers chain of supermarkets in the Midwest. The announcement marks the company’s first U.S. fresh food supplier and retail partnership and an important moment in the battle against the $2.6 trillion dollar per year global food waste crisis.
“We’re excited to be working with exceptional partners as they share our vision of a food system that provides better quality food for all and less waste. With our partners, we believe we can increase the availability and accessibility of high-quality, nutritious produce while simultaneously preserving our natural resources and environment,” said James Rogers, CEO and Founder of Apeel Sciences.
According to a press release, Apeel is the first plant-derived solution for extending produce shelf-life, which dramatically reduces food waste at the supplier, retailer, and consumer levels. Additionally, since avocados with Apeel maintain quality and optimal ripeness twice as long—without requiring the use of refrigeration or preservatives—the company noted that it is now possible to bring better quality avocados to supermarkets across the U.S.
“Del Rey Avocado is excited to provide the first Apeel Avocados to Costco. Del Rey Avocado takes pride in ensuring that the highest quality avocados make it to the consumer each and every time,” said Jessica Hunter, Vice President of Production for Del Rey Avocado Company.
Will these avocados soon be supplied to retailers nationwide? AndNowUKnow will keep you up-to-date on the latest.
