Vertical Roots lettuces are always sustainably grown, non-GMO and pesticide free, and are on grocery store shelves within one to three days of being harvested. Because of Vertical Roots indoor farm’s extreme food safety standards, produce is clean, contaminant-free and has a 14+ day shelf life.
“We put meticulous care into our lettuce varieties to ensure they are highly nutritious, fresh and flavorful. We’ve put that same effort into developing packaging that meets our food safety standards, and is easy to use for our consumers,” said Andrew Hare, co-founder and general manager of Vertical Roots.
The new packaging features a patented micro-perforated film for increased shelf life stability. The film is resealable which provides consumers the same easy-to-use functionality of a clamshell. “We tested respiration and condensation with each lettuce variety, and ultimately found that we could extend the freshness and shelf life of our salad mixes even more,” added Andrew.
The Vertical Roots team spent over a year conducting thorough research and meeting with manufacturers before selecting the next phase of brand packaging. ”Through this journey we’ve educated ourselves on various materials, recyclables and biodegradable plastics, and the scientific and environmental implications of each potential avenue.”
“Our new packaging drastically reduces our plastic usage over 30%,” added Hare. “We put a large focus on recycling, where we selected plastics that are easier for consumers to recycle while only utilizing materials that have continued life cycles.”
Vertical Roots new packaging is also made of 100% post-consumer recycled #1 plastic (PET or PETE), which is known to be the most widely accepted plastic among recycling facilities. The EPA estimates recycling plastic uses nearly 60% less energy than creating it from raw materials.
While consumers demand more eco-friendly packaging, the produce industry gripes with plastic usage as the planet faces massive waste issues. Part of Vertical Roots mission is to be transparent with consumers on the company’s plastic journey, and to educate brand followers on waste issues and recycling best practices. “The amount of plastic waste on the planet feels larger than life. We have to educate our consumers on these issues to influence the demand for change,” said Hare.
Vertical Roots is already seeding the next phase of its packaging. “Just like our greens, we’re growing and will continue to evolve packaging and processes to be the best they can. Our ultimate mission is to develop packaging that is both earth and consumer friendly,” concluded Hare.
