The Noordelijke Hogeschool, Department of Life Sciences & Technology in Leeuwarden, Holland did research (commissioned by Freeland) on how the packaging from Peakfresh works. It was shown from the research that the vegetables tested (broccoli, butter lettuce and iceberg lettuce) stayed fresh for much longer than in the conventional packaging. The vegetables stayed crisp and green for longer and the weight loss was limited.


Day 25 difference in iceberg lettuce between conventional and Freeland PEAKfresh packaging

"For us this research is very important in relation to the transport and the shelf life of fruit and vegetables", said Kees van den Bosch from Freeland. "We now export
iceberg lettuce successfully to Greenland, the Middle East and the Canary Islands as an alternative for air freight. Peakfesh is bio-degradable and has permission to also be used for organic and EKO products."


Broccoli: difference between Freeland PEAKfresh packaging and conventional packaging on day 29

"There is also interest closer to home from growers and supermarkets. If you consider that one third of vegetables do not reach the consumer, we could play an important role in improving this process. Butter lettuce and iceberg lettuce have a much longer shelf life in the shops, but also in the home of the consumer who might only use half of the lettuce and want to save the rest for later. Butter lettuce has a bad name when it comes to shelf life. We can also improve this!"


Difference in Butter lettuce with Freeland PEAKfresh packaging and conventional packaging day 20

"We also see possibilities for e.g cucumbers and strawberries, but in fact these Peakfresh bags can be used for nearly all fruit and vegetables", concludes Kees. If you would like to know more you can visit the joint stand at the Fruit Logistica (hal 1.2 , E-08).