Mission Produce launched post-harvest program: AvoLast Powered by Hazel Technologies

Mission Produce Inc., US global supplier of the world’s avocados, announced the launch of a first-class post-harvest program AvoLast Powered by Hazel. The technology featuring a quarter-sized biodegradable and food-safe packaging insert that blocks ethylene receptors, minimizing operational impact on the supply chain. The product developed exclusively in conjunction with Hazel Technologies, Inc., a USDA-funded agricultural technology company that dedicated to solving the problem of food waste in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. The companies announced their partnerships in 2019.

AvoLast is a good solution for maintaining the longevity of avocados on the shelf or behind the counter. With a help of this product, retailers and foodservice businesses can reduce shrinkage and continue or improve their avocado ripening programs without compromising the consumer experience due to overripe fruits.

Patrick Cortes, Mission Produce’s Sr. Director of Business Development, said, “After testing the solution in various environments throughout our supply chain, AvoLast avocados had an extended ripe shelf life of 2-3 days.”

By extending the shelf life of both hard and ripe Hass avocados, Mission Produce’ retail and foodservice customers can reduce throwaways. Accordingly, this provides an opportunity to increase profits and minimize inventory pressure, while creating a more positive customer experience. Foremost, AvoLast can also reduce global food waste, an environmental, ethical and financial increasing threat.

Aidan Mouat, CEO of Hazel Technologies, noted that this technology is a rare solution that delivers a better customer experience and significant environmental benefits. “In the US alone, food distribution waste consumes about 6% of our total energy budget, 24% of our fresh water, and generates somewhere around 300M metric tons harmful carbon emissions. As the market demands efficiencies to reduce this waste, Hazel’s technology is increasingly vital,” he concluded.

Overall, AvoLast offers many in-demand solutions such as extending shelf life, decreasing shrinkage, reducing food waste worldwide and improving customer experience.

Mission Produce Inc. one of the world’s most advanced avocado networks, which owns and operates state-of-the-art avocado packing facilities in multiple global locations including California, Mexico and Peru.

More information can be found on company’s website.

Hazel Technologies, Inc. is a fast-growing company with the mission of reducing food waste and increasing the efficiency of produce supply chains.

Click here to find more about the company's products.