KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO - We’re in the thick of trade show season, with too many shows to name on the horizon. As such, it’s a produce-eat-produce world at the moment—but Mucci Farms is making sure that its brand, products, and team are the ones eating and not being eaten. One way the greenhouse grower is accomplishing this feat is by making sure it’s on the forefront of providing consumers with sustainable and renewable options.

“In recent months, there has been a renewed emphasis on reducing the use of plastic in favor of more sustainable options. This push has gained global traction and, as a result, retailers are feeling the pressure from the consumer market—a pressure that has since extended to fruit and vegetable growers and suppliers,” Emily Murracas, Director of Marketing, explained to me. “Nonetheless, if consumers and our retail partners ask for more sustainable packaging, challenge accepted.”

While packaged produce is very popular with today’s consumers—because it improves food safety, extends shelf life, and increases product quality—Mucci Farms has had to strike the right balance between being environmentally friendly without compromising product quality or cost. The company has also doubled down on efforts to educate the public space on plastic and its various recyclable, or non-recyclable, forms’ impact on the environment. All of this has culminated into exploring a new packaging effort to add to their existing lineup, which the Mucci Farms team was more than happy to reveal to me.

“We’ve been trialing a new series of sustainable packaging that will be part of our sustainability program, known as ‘GreenERhouse.’ This lineup is called the Simple Snack Series—with SIMPLE being an acronym for Sustainable Innovation Made Purposely for our Living Environment,” Fernanda Albuquerque, New Product Development Manager, told me. “The Simple Pack is made of cardboard and 100 percent recyclable top seal film. To soft launch the program, we will be introducing this packaging with some of our popular snacking items. We are currently using fiber trays for select items in our Natural Organics line and are now in the research and development stages of looking at additional biodegradable and compostable options for our conventional items.”

And, with the CPMA Convention and Trade Show only weeks away—the show will be held in Montreal on April 2-4—I say Mucci Farms’ sustainability headway and packaging efforts could not come at a better time, for more reasons than one.

Specifically, Mucci Farms has been a major supporter of CPMA for over a decade, and in 2014 the grower first started sponsoring the relaxation lounge in Vancouver. Since then, the company has had a strong presence at every CPMA convention.

“When we were offered the opportunity to sponsor the relaxation lounge, not only was it a great branding opportunity for us, but it was also a chance to work directly with CPMA on the premier produce trade show in the country,” Emily said. “We consistently look to create a theme for the relaxation lounge that fits with the spirit of the show and this year, attendees can look forward to the ECO Lounge.”

The ECO Lounge will be located on the show floor between aisles 2000-2100. Emily noted that this year’s lounge is unique because it was built almost entirely out of cardboard—we love a green queen! In addition, tables, chairs, and other décor will be made out of sustainable materials, including re-purposed pallet wood, with the whole lounge serving as yet another reminder that sustainability is the hottest topic in fresh produce.

Visit Mucci Farms at booth #1715 to join the conversation on sustainability and the future of produce!

For more CPMA coverage ahead of the show, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.

Mucci Farms