To host a harvest festival!

Happy Thanksgiving Day! While enjoying turkey is a traditional way to celebrate, Thanksgiving is ultimately about expressing gratitude for the harvest. We should feel thankful that the food on our tables is safe and secure. However, various challenges can arise between harvesting, distribution, and sale. We’ve compiled a list of startups in Asia that are addressing these issues, so you can enjoy your Thanksgiving with greater peace of mind.

Ugly produce makes delicious meals

Anina

Not every piece of produce harvested by farmers is visually appealing. Produce that is undersized, bruised, or features surface blemishes often do not meet market standards and are classified as “ugly produce.” Each year, an astonishing 30 to 50 percent of this ugly produce is discarded, contributing to significant food waste.

However, Israeli startup Anina has found a way to give ugly produce a second chance. They begin by slicing vegetables into thin, laminated sheets to create cross-sections of various vegetables. These slices are then dried and shaped into round balls, representing items like zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, dried beans, spices, grains, rice, and noodles. You can simply microwave them or boil them in water, and a delicious meal is ready to enjoy. It may look unattractive on the outside, but it tastes better than anything else. Don’t just focus on the outside; take a moment to consider what’s on the inside.

Is it possible to permanently preserve fruit?

Purespace

Keeping produce as fresh as it was at the time of harvest can be quite challenging. Despite the use of preservatives, it’s common to encounter some discoloration and a mushy piece or two. This happens because certain substances in the cold chain quickly degrade the freshness of harvested produce. One of these substances is ethylene, a plant hormone that exists as a gas. Ethylene causes discoloration, shriveling, and decay in fruits and vegetables. (An increase in ethylene concentration from 0 ppb to 100 ppb decreases the lifespan of fruits and vegetables by an average of 30%. Concentrations above 100 ppb are commonly found in cold chain facilities.)

To address this issue, the South Korean startup Purespace has developed a machine that removes ethylene and mold from the air surrounding fruits and vegetables in cold chain facilities. By measuring and eliminating these substances that reduce the lifespan of produce, their technology helps keep food fresher for longer, potentially extending the life of fruit by a month or more.

How to eliminate pests in an eco-friendly way

Barrix

When it comes to transporting fresh produce to market, one major concern is the potential for pest infestations. Nobody wants to consume produce that is overrun with bugs. Fortunately, with the use of eco-friendly traps, you can eliminate worries about pests.

Barrix, an Indian startup that specializes in sustainable pest control solutions for crops, offers products such as pheromone traps and sticky traps. These traps utilize a unique blend of substances, including pheromones and kairomones, to effectively attract and capture stubborn pests. This innovative technology minimizes the reliance on chemical pesticides, helping to safeguard crops and reduce post-harvest losses. Furthermore, the eco-friendly traps are resistant to sunlight and heat, allowing them to be reused up to four seasons. While it’s unfortunate for the pests, at least they can meet their end peacefully in an environmentally friendly trap.

Wrap in zero-waste packaging

Zolv

Take a moment to examine a box of fruit that you receive at home or purchase from the supermarket. It is likely wrapped in plastic, styrofoam, and other materials to protect the fruit from spoilage, which leads to waste when we dispose of these packaging materials. However, is there an eco-friendly way to eliminate this waste?

South Korean startup Zolv has developed a zero-waste packaging material that dissolves when the fruit is washed with water. This innovative material features a well-structured three-dimensional porous design that not only provides excellent cushioning but also effectively absorbs ethylene gas, helping to maintain the fruit’s quality. Importantly, as it dissolves, the packaging works as a final measure to remove any remaining pesticide residues from the fruit. Tests conducted by Zolv revealed that no harmful heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, formaldehyde, or cadmium, were detected in the packaging, ensuring its safety for consumers. Let’s embrace the zero-waste movement as a positive way to enjoy fresh produce. Cradle-to-Cradle.