Apeel announced a collaboration with Robinson Fresh, one of the largest fresh produce distributors in the world, to expand the availability of Apeel’s longer-lasting produce throughout the U.S.
Starting in June, Robinson Fresh began distribution of Apeel limes to Wakefern Food Corp., one of the nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperatives, which includes supermarkets under the ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners.
Robinson Fresh and Apeel’s collaboration focuses on creating a more resilient fresh food supply chain, which ultimately supports both companies’ missions to reduce food waste and address climate change. By expanding the availability of more sustainable produce in the U.S., Robinson Fresh is furthering its commitment to reducing waste across the entire path to purchase — from the product itself, its packaging, to its delivery to retailers nationwide. At the same time, Apeel advances its mission to combat food waste at every step of the supply chain and make the food ecosystem better for growers, distributors, retailers, consumers and the planet.
“We are proud to work with Apeel to bring its line of longer-lasting produce into our distribution channel and expand its commercial availability to retailers like the Wakefern Food Corp. banner supermarkets,” said Michael Castagnetto, president of Robinson Fresh. “Not only does this give consumers access to sustainable produce, but by introducing more time across the supply chain, Apeel’s technology increases our operational flexibility to get the produce to retailers while furthering our commitment to innovation and forward-thinking technologies that benefit our customers.”
“We’ve always been committed to providing our shoppers with the freshest produce available, and are excited to work with Apeel to offer a better, longer lasting lime at a great value. At the same time, we’re continually exploring new ways to improve the sustainability of the products we source, so that our shoppers can feel good that the fruits and vegetables they enjoy also help reduce waste and are better for the environment,” said Bryant Harris, Wakefern’s chief merchandising officer.
"We are excited to be partnered with such innovative and sustainability-minded produce distributors and retailers to accelerate the commercial availability of Apeel’s longer-lasting produce,” said Michael Schaeman, vice president of sales at Apeel. “Robinson Fresh shares Apeel’s vision for more efficient supply chains so that we can move food through the system without seeing the insurmountable level of waste that has become ever more pressing to address.”
