Agrovision, a year-round supplier of superfruits, including The Fruitist brand, and a vertically integrated premium blueberry supplier, has signed an agreement with RipeLocker, a science-based data-driven company that provides the postharvest industry with a technology extending the life of high-value crops and perishables.
Agrovision is employing the new technology that offers a cost-effective, mass volume, postharvest storage solution tailormade for berries. RipeLocker's patented low-atmosphere vacuum chambers put the fruit to "sleep," delaying aging and decay, and maintaining optimal freshness for up to 12 weeks without loss of quality – three times the norm. RipeLocker is also working with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service to optimize the storage and disinfestation of perishables.
RipeLocker's technology advances Agrovision's promise of a premium, high-quality superfruit supply, 52 weeks a year. At the retail level, consumers can expect a berry with more aroma, crunch, flavor, and higher nutritional value, indistinguishable from fresh-picked, while reducing shrink. Agrovision will incorporate the technology into its global market offerings, including The Fruitist, which offers new varietals of hand-picked berries grown on farms in unique microclimate terroirs around the globe.
Extending the shelf life of berries up to 12 weeks post harvest without loss of quality.
"We are committed to reliably advancing high-quality superfruits to consumers for healthier snacking 365 days a year, and we believe this partnership 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 technologies."
"We are thrilled to provide Agrovision with a technology to enable differentiation of its 'The Fruitist' brand with better tasting, more nutritious, and longer shelf-life fruit to the consumer," said RipeLocker CEO and co-founder George Lobisser. "This partnership aligns with our long-term vision to deploy technology with a vertically integrated organization that strives to integrate an innovative technology into its operations and offer consumers superior quality fruit."
RipeLocker chambers are a patented technology that manages the pressure and gas composition (oxygen and CO2) within their chambers to extend the life of fresh produce, flowers, and tree nuts. Based on the needs of each type of perishable, the company 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 designed its pallet-sized chambers to be deployed and used in the existing cold chain. Produced using novel materials and highly scalable manufacturing processes, the chamber can be delivered cost-effectively in mass volume. RipeLocker has patents on both chamber design and method of operation.
For more information:
George Lobisser
RipeLocker
Email: [email protected]
www.ripelocker.com
Sonya Grigoruk
Agrovision
Tel: +1 (213) 810-1016
[email protected]
www.AgrovisionCorp.com