Dino Di Laudo of Westmoreland - Topline Discusses International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference Plans
LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - Rushing from one show to the next, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. That doesn’t seem to be the case for Westmoreland - Topline, which is preparing for the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Foodservice Conference with exciting news regarding its Long English cucumber program.
“We’ve been working with Apeel Sciences out of California for the last two years to remove single-use plastic from our Long English cucumbers,” Dino Di Laudo, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shared with me. “After six months of exhaustive testing, we have now gone commercial and are shipping to a large retailer in Canada.”
Heading into the Foodservice Conference, Westmoreland is excited to share with foodservice operators the benefits of plastic-free cucumbers: no more peeling plastic, no more single-use plastic waste, less risk of injury, and significant time saving in handling these plastic-free cucumbers.
“Our main goal is to give our foodservice customers the opportunity to see our Apeel-treated English cucumbers. We will show them the savings in time, since there is no removal of plastic, the benefits to the environment of removing single-use plastic, as well as the reduced risk of cuts from removing the plastic, all while maintaining the same freshness and shelf-life as a plastic covered cucumber,” Dino noted.
He also explained to me the importance of foodservice in the supply chain.
“Foodservice is an important customer for the greenhouse industry," he said. "Great restaurants are always pushing the boundary of innovation and bringing unique dishes to consumers. We’re happy to bring the plastic-free cucumbers, supporting their ESG & Sustainability goals, while making Long English cucumbers easier to use.”
Westmoreland - Topline continues to innovate by expanding its production availability through growing in lit greenhouses 12 months per year, now offering Mini cucumbers, English cucumbers, Tomatoes on the Vine, and the SanZano Roma tomato year-round.
To learn more about the program, you’ll have to stop by booth #1004!
