Organic vegetables packaged sustainably in punnets
How can we package our organically grown vegetables sustainably? Biodynamic arable farm BioRomeo put this question to Smart Packaging Solutions. Carrots and beetroots are now packaged in punnets: Smart Packaging Solutions’ sustainable consumer packaging. “The key question for us was: is the packaging sustainable and resistant to moisture? The punnet has proven its worth.”
‘Sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do’
Rainbow carrots, celeriac, turnips, beetroots, parsnips, onions, potatoes. A selection from the vegetables that the organic farm BioRomeo grows in the Dutch Noordoostpolder. “The farm has grown crops organically for 34 years”, says Everet van Dorp, who is responsible for purchasing and sales. “A good 10 years ago, we started processing and packaging our biodynamic produce, in addition to growing it. In cooperation with other biodynamic farmers in and around the Noordoostpolder, we supply a complete range of organically grown fruit and vegetables.”
Having packaging produced close to home
BioRomeo grows different types of vegetables on 70 hectares, and packages them themselves. Van Dorp: “We supply our products to wholesalers and supermarkets in the Netherlands and Germany. As an organic farm, we consider everything from the point of view of sustainability. Until last year, we packaged our carrots in a tray we sourced in Italy. To reduce our environmental impact, we started looking for suitable packaging closer to home. Customers also find it important that we use as little packaging material and plastic as possible. This is how we got talking to Smart Packaging Solutions.”
Is the packaging resistant to humidity?
BioRomeo now uses punnets for packaging carrots and beetroots. The punnets are made from lightweight solid cardboard. Van Dorp: “Is the packaging sustainable and resistant to moisture? That was a key question for us when we started talking to Smart. The carrots are washed before we pack them. When they go into the packaging and then to the cold store, they are still moist. The packaging has to be able to withstand that, and we explored that point in great detail. We also tested the packaging ourselves in the fridge in our canteen. We left the packaging in there for several weeks and even then the tray retained its firmness.”
Advantage: consumers can see the product in the store
The punnet is suitable for packaging 750 grams of rainbow carrots. Van Dorp: “This packaging allows for better presentation than bulk packaging. The tray is covered with foil. It is easy for consumers to see the product in the store, without touching the vegetable. Another plus: the cardboard packaging that we used to use for packaging carrots had another layer of plastic. That is not the case in the punnets: they are made from 100% recycled paper and cardboard and are consequently more sustainable.”
‘Smart is very good at supplying just-in-time’
BioRomeo purchases two types of punnets from Smart. One is finished in a customer's house style, and one is a neutral type. "Smart is very good at just-in-time delivery and we see that as an important advantage too. This way, we don't have to keep a large stock ourselves. What I also really like is that Smart delivers the punnets in boxes. These boxes can be returned to Smart after use, so they can be reused. That saves us waste and is better for the environment.