Windset Farms and Verdant Technologies are partnering on use of a postharvest shelf-life extension solution, HarvestHold Fresh. It is a patented method to deliver industry-standard 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in sheets.

A 22-day pilot from central Mexico to BC showed significant benefits in firmness, reduction in decay, improved visual appearance and longer shelf life.

In October 2022, the companies will partner on a retail pilot for tomatoes-on-the-vine supplied from Mexico into select retailers in the U.S., with the intent to expand into additional locations.

Four months earlier, the EPA expanded the label for HarvestHold Fresh to include: asparagus, avocado, banana, bell pepper, blueberry, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumber, kiwi, lime, mango, mushrooms, okra, papaya, pineapple, spinach, strawberry, and sweet corn. The 18 added crops are in addition to apricot, broccoli, grapes, melons, nectarine, peach, persimmon, plum, and tomato, which were approved by the EPA in September 2021.

The expanded label also includes flexibility for recycling HarvestHold Fresh sheets after application.

Source:  Windset Farms October 18, 2022 news release