CHICAGO, IL - Call the Jetsons, because we’re officially living in the future! Hazel Technologies was recently named to Fast Company magazine’s prestigious “Most Innovative Companies” list.

“Like everywhere else in the world, food waste is a big problem in Canada,” explained Mike Russell, Territory Manager. “According to estimates, roughly 60 percent of all food produced in Canada ends up in a landfill. Most people think of that waste as food we throw away at home or in restaurants, and that’s certainly part of it, but the reality is that most of that waste occurs much sooner in the food’s lifecycle. In fact, over 70 percent of food waste happens before it ever reaches a consumer. This waste comes at a huge cost to food growers, exporters/importers, and retailers—that’s the business problem we help solve. It just so happens that solving that business problem also delivers a massive environmental benefit.”

In the year ahead, Hazel aims to take that impact to even greater heights as it prepares to extend into the fast-growing Canadian market. The crops in focus for the Canadian market include apples, pears, cherries, and other stonefruit for its Hazel 100 product, and cucumbers, peppers and cherries for its Breatheway offering. Helping lead Hazel’s northward expansion is Ben Axell, Hazel’s Key Accounts Director; Mike Russell, Territory Manager for the Pacific Northwest Region and British Columbia; and Joe Parker, U.S. Account Executive, who will oversee Canada’s Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia provinces.

According to a press release, Fast Company described Hazel Technologies as part of “a burgeoning category of AgTech products that promise to keep fruit and veggies fresh along the supply chain.” However, according to Fast Company, what differentiated Hazel from its competitors was its ease of use.

“While most solutions more closely resemble wax coatings or an eco-friendly plastic wrap and require producers and distributors to buy equipment, train workers, then burn time applying them, Hazel’s inconspicuous Hazel 100 sachets are designed for the supply chain as it is,” the source stated.

To date, Hazel’s solutions have treated over 5 billion pounds of produce, helping to eliminate an estimated 400 million pounds of waste.

Pending final regulatory approval, Hazel will bring its flagship Hazel 100 solution to the Canadian market, where it will join its portfolio innovation, Hazel Breatheway.

As the provider's cutting-edge solutions portfolio expands into new markets, retailers can secure another opportunity to reduce shrink and overall costs. ANUK will continue to report on this evolving portfolio, so stick around!