KINGSBURG, CA - Filled with vibrant rainbows of color, gleaming fruits and vegetables, and eye-catching graphics, the produce aisle is a veritable wonderland of opportunities and options for consumers. To stand out on the shelves, suppliers are coming up with innovative ways to stay ahead of the curve. For example, HMC Farms has introduced compostable packaging to appeal to shoppers’ love of high-quality produce and their desire for sustainability.
“Shoppers are looking for an alternative to plastic packaging. They want to know that not only are they feeding themselves and their family something nutritious, but they are also doing their part to protect the planet for future generations,” Chelsea McClarty Ketelsen, Director of Marketing, explains. “Our new containers are fully compostable, with an earthy look and feel while still protecting the product and allowing the fruit to be visible. It truly is the best of both worlds.”
Introduced in the spring of 2021, the compostable corrugated containers are made of plants certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, and the band on the packaging is made of recyclable plastic. The boxes serve multiple functions, with 12–20 oz of fruit in each container, and fruit can be packed at a fixed or variable weight depending on merchandising preference.
HMC Farms is currently offering its red and green table grapes in the compostable vessels, with plans to expand to its treefruit varieties in a few months.
“When we launched our compostable packaging, it was met with incredible feedback and renowned positivity,” continues Chelsea. “Since then, we have grown our offerings from red grapes to green, and once the summer stonefruit season begins, peaches, plums, nectarines, plumcots, and our favorite fruit of the season, Plumsicle™, will all be available in our banded compostable pack.”
All in all, HMC’s compostable containers play a central role in the company’s mission along with meeting consumer demand for more Earth-friendly options in the produce department.
“At HMC Farms, we are dedicated to preserving the land, water, and natural resources of this planet for generations to come,” Chelsea says. “In all aspects of our business, we do what we can to be truly sustainable. Our family’s farming history began in 1887, and we hope to continue this legacy for generations to come.”
If you want to provide your shoppers with packaging they can feel good about adding to their baskets, HMC Farms has just what you are looking for.
