The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, says it is taking longer-lasting avocados from Santa Barbara, California-based Apeel nationwide, puting them in more than 1,100 Kroger stores in the U.S.
Kroger will also introduce two new produce categories — Apeel asparagus and Apeel limes — through a pilot in the Cincinnati market this fall.
Apeel uses plant-derived technology to provide produce with an extra "peel" that slows the rate of water loss and oxidation, which are the primary causes or spoilage. The company says it doubles to triples the shelf life of many types of produce.
"Kroger is excited to offer more customers Apeel avocados and introduce longer-lasting limes and asparagus, marking another milestone on our journey to achieving our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste vision," said Frank Romero, Kroger's vice president of produce. "Apeel's innovative food-based solution has proven to extend the life of perishable produce, reducing food waste in transport, in our retail stores and in our customers' homes."
The expansion follows Kroger's pilot of Apeel avocados, which launched a year ago in 109 Midwest locations. Apeel avocados, asparagus and limes maintain their just-harvested quality longer than produce without Apeel and are less reliant on refrigerating, according to the company.