Oppenheimer organic tomatoes now available in fully compostable packaging
Oppenheimer organic tomatoes now available in fully compostable packaging
Greenhouse-grown organic tomatoes are next in The Oppenheimer Group's ever-expanding line of products available in completely home compostable packaging.
"Tomatoes are among the most popular organic items in the produce section," James Milne, executive director of the Vancouver, BC-based marketer's greenhouse category, said in a statement. "Now discerning consumers can purchase richly flavored organic tomatoes in convenient packs and place all of the packaging into their home compost knowing it will be ready to make a healthy contribution to the garden in 90 days."
Oppenheimer was to begin shipping multi-count trays of organic Beefsteak tomatoes in the earth-friendly packs on June 1. Close on their heels will be value-added packs of organic cocktail tomatoes-on-the-vine, as well as peppers and mini cucumbers. The company previously introduced a fully compostable green kiwifruit pack, and has a gold kiwifruit pack and a mixed green and gold kiwifruit unit in the offing. Other products may be rolled out between now and the end of the year, and custom programs are available, according to Mr. Milne.
Oppenheimer brings this innovation to the market in partnership with Vancouver's Earthcycle Packaging Ltd. The organic greenhouse items are supplied exclusively by South Alder Greenhouses Ltd. in Delta, BC. The tray, film and label used in the packaging are biodegradable and home compostable.
Earthcycle produce trays consist of a molded pulp package made from palm fiber, a waste product left over after the palm fruit is harvested and pressed for oil. Previously incinerated or landfilled, this fiber is now made into certified compostable FDA food-grade packaging. The tray and tomatoes are wrapped in NatureFlex film. AIB Vincotte in Europe certifies both the film and the paper label with the OK Home Compost designation.
"Oppenheimer and South Alder recognized the value of our earth- to-earth packaging and saw a natural fit for greenhouse organics," Shannon Boase, Earthcycle's founder and president, said in the statement. "It makes perfect sense to protect and display a natural, organic product in an equally natural and home-compostable package."
The tomatoes are sold under the "O-tomato" brand, a progressive organic product line that includes O-pepper, O-cucumber and O- sardinia. South Alder growers William Cheuk and Raymond Wong nurture the products under 20 acres of glass, applying the proprietary methods they developed during a half-decade spent perfecting the nutrients, organic fertilizer, growing media and organic production practices to create the healthiest and best- tasting greenhouse products. In addition to the earth-friendly benefits, these tomatoes boast superior nutrition and other unique attributes, according to Mr. Cheuk.
"Tomatoes are among the most popular organic items in the produce section," James Milne, executive director of the Vancouver, BC-based marketer's greenhouse category, said in a statement. "Now discerning consumers can purchase richly flavored organic tomatoes in convenient packs and place all of the packaging into their home compost knowing it will be ready to make a healthy contribution to the garden in 90 days."
Oppenheimer was to begin shipping multi-count trays of organic Beefsteak tomatoes in the earth-friendly packs on June 1. Close on their heels will be value-added packs of organic cocktail tomatoes-on-the-vine, as well as peppers and mini cucumbers. The company previously introduced a fully compostable green kiwifruit pack, and has a gold kiwifruit pack and a mixed green and gold kiwifruit unit in the offing. Other products may be rolled out between now and the end of the year, and custom programs are available, according to Mr. Milne.
Oppenheimer brings this innovation to the market in partnership with Vancouver's Earthcycle Packaging Ltd. The organic greenhouse items are supplied exclusively by South Alder Greenhouses Ltd. in Delta, BC. The tray, film and label used in the packaging are biodegradable and home compostable.
Earthcycle produce trays consist of a molded pulp package made from palm fiber, a waste product left over after the palm fruit is harvested and pressed for oil. Previously incinerated or landfilled, this fiber is now made into certified compostable FDA food-grade packaging. The tray and tomatoes are wrapped in NatureFlex film. AIB Vincotte in Europe certifies both the film and the paper label with the OK Home Compost designation.
"Oppenheimer and South Alder recognized the value of our earth- to-earth packaging and saw a natural fit for greenhouse organics," Shannon Boase, Earthcycle's founder and president, said in the statement. "It makes perfect sense to protect and display a natural, organic product in an equally natural and home-compostable package."
The tomatoes are sold under the "O-tomato" brand, a progressive organic product line that includes O-pepper, O-cucumber and O- sardinia. South Alder growers William Cheuk and Raymond Wong nurture the products under 20 acres of glass, applying the proprietary methods they developed during a half-decade spent perfecting the nutrients, organic fertilizer, growing media and organic production practices to create the healthiest and best- tasting greenhouse products. In addition to the earth-friendly benefits, these tomatoes boast superior nutrition and other unique attributes, according to Mr. Cheuk.
