It is an investment that could help spread the Okanagan name even farther.
On Friday, the Canadian government announced it was giving more than $260,000 for research to help better preserve produce.
On the receiving end? A local private company and the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland.
The new research uses antimicrobial compounds to keep produce fresher for a longer period of time.
The antimicrobial gas flows through the clear, plastic lid covering produce boxes to surround and seal in the fruits’ freshness.
Get daily National news
Research scientist Pascal Delaquis says this will extend the shelf life of produce by as much as two weeks; he says produce currently does not last much longer than 20 days.
Perry Lidster, CEO of Innovative Food Systems Corp., says the antimicrobial gas will prevent bacteria and fungi from forming on the fruits, an act that would normally lead to spoiling.
Lidster says the research means Okanagan growers will no longer be restricted to selling their produce locally.
He says their markets can now be expanded to Asia and parts of Europe.
Joe Sardinha with the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association says the new technology will help keep Okanagan fruit competitive on the global market.
Sardinha says, thanks to the fruits’ longer shelf life, growers will be able to lower expenses and increase profits by shipping their produce by boat instead of by plane.
“The product arrives in great shape,” he said. “All of a sudden we’ve gained a great advantage. If you’re product arrives in poor state, you’re likely not to have a repeat customer there.”
Delaquis says the research is among the first of its kind in the country.
He hopes the technology will extend beyond the borders of B.C. and be used by growers across the country.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.