Westmoreland and Apeel are proud to announce they have joined forces to eliminate single use plastics from Long English Cucumber packaging. This is Apeel’s first Canadian supplier relationship, bringing the two companies together to focus on environmental impact, while maintaining product shelf life and freshness consumers come to expect.
In the first year of our partnership, Westmoreland expects to avoid 185,000 pounds of plastic use - which is the equivalent of 200 million plastic straws, or enough shrink wrap to cover 485 football fields.
“We’re excited to work with Westmoreland on their admirable journey to eliminate single-use plastic from their Long English Cucumbers,” said Erich Klawuhn, VP of Product at Apeel. “Inspired by nature, Apeel’s plant-based protection maintains quality and freshness - no plastic needed.”
Westmoreland’s greenhouse-grown Long English Cucumber currently uses a plastic film to maintain the shelf life of each cucumber but uses an estimated 90 tons of plastic to do so each year. Apeel has created a solution to that issue, using their “Food Gone Good” mantra to deliver high-quality fruit and vegetables while helping avoid the need for single-use plastics.
Westmoreland’s cucumbers will be protected by a little extra ‘peel’. Apeel’s plant-based protection creates an edible barrier that can’t be seen, felt, or tasted. This unique coating maintains shelf life by keeping moisture in and keeping oxygen out; two factors that lead to spoiled vegetables.
“We’re thrilled to team up with Apeel,” said Westmoreland’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Dino Di Laudo. “We want to do better for our earth, our retailers and all the families we help feed every day. This partnership with Apeel allows us to check all three of those boxes. In the first year alone, Westmoreland is aiming to prevent the equivalent of eight million water bottles worth of single use plastic from entering North American landfills.”
For more information:
Nick DiCarlo
Westmoreland Sales
T: 519-990-9188
nickd@westmorelandsales.com
www.toplinefarms.com