Not every vegetable variety is suitable for the production of miniature products.
Research conducted jointly by The Greenery (the EU's largest fruit and vegetable wholesaler) and the breeding firm Rijk Zwaan show that consumer demand for organically produced produce and unpackaged vegetables is growing. In response to consumer demand and to reduce food waste, both firms have launched a pilot project to offer smaller vegetables. The concept, titled "Little & Fresh", is set to launch at the Jumbo store in Leidschendam, the Netherlands. The new brand will offer 20 types of vegetables, including conical cabbage, broccoli and lettuce. Vegetables must not only be smaller than the usual size, but must also be produced organically and unpackaged.
It's easy to say “offer smaller vegetables,” says Helen Bose, organic marketing specialist at Rijk Zwaan, but not every variety is suitable for miniature foods. It is necessary to create a number of varieties and hybrids that not only meet all quality requirements, but also allow you to get smaller products. By creating small varieties and hybrids, the breeder is responding to market demands and hopes that consumers will waste less uneaten vegetables. In turn, The Greenery involved the producers of organic products from the Naturelle cooperative in this project. This made it possible to provide the entire chain from the supplier of organic seeds to the consumer of the final product. In addition, the Little & Fresh project is expected to increase the consumption of organic vegetables and fruits as well as promote environmental sustainability.
Source: https://east-fruit.com