Walnut Creek, California-based Del Monte Foods has committed to reducing food waste and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 with the introduction of two new upcycled products.
In this endeavor, the Del Monte Gut Love and Boost Me Fruit Infusions have been “Upcycled Certified” by the Upcycled Food Association, a third party certification program for upcycled food ingredients and products.
Through these two products, Del Monte Food is redirecting 130,000 pounds of pineapple juice each year. These efforts will help to provide affordable food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, Del Monte Foods announced the industry’s first canned vegetable product to be “Upcycled Certified.” The company’s Blue Lake Petite Cut and Blue Lake Farmhouse Cut Green Bean products are 100 percent upcycled and sustainably grown green beans from Wisconsin and Illinois.
“As Growers of Good, Del Monte Foods is focused on producing nutritious food while also protecting the health of our planet,” said Greg Longstreet, president and CEO of Del Monte Foods. “The food industry has a huge opportunity to reduce food waste and Del Monte Foods is committed to playing a leadership role through our expanded focus on upcycling.”
The company has been focused on reducing all forms of food waste across its supply chain. Over the past 24 months alone, the company has diverted more than 25 million pounds of food from landfills through a focus on upcycling and food donations.
“Cutting food waste is the single-most effective thing companies and people can do to address climate change,” said Turner Wyatt, co-founder and CEO of the Upcycled Food Association. “As a household brand, the early leadership that Del Monte Foods is showing in the upcycling space will have an important impact on consumer awareness of reducing food waste for a healthier planet and future.”
The company’s fruit infusions was recently named a 2022 Product of the Year in the fruit snack category. Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation.
To learn more about the Upcycled Foods Association, visit upcycledfood.org/the-standard.
