New York-based Jac. Vandenberg has launched what it says is the first plastic-free food product to be awarded the Plastic Free Trust Mark in the United States. The company's mandarin brand, Sunrays®, initially introduced the sustainable packaging at last year's PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, Florida, with a 3lb carton and a 2-count snack pack.

"Jac. Vandenberg has introduced the new plastic-free, sustainable packaging for Sunrays® mandarins," said John Paap of Jac. Vandenberg. "Both packs are 100 percent paper-based and are the first of their kind in the U.S. citrus market. It comes as no surprise then that Sunrays® has recently become the first food and beverage product in the United States to be awarded the world’s first Plastic Free Trust Mark."

The "Plastic Free Trust Mark"
Paap explained that the Plastic Free Trust Mark was created by A Plastic Planet (APP) – a United Kingdom-based grassroots movement launched in January 2017 with the goal of removing plastic packaging in stores. APP’s campaign, A Plastic Free Aisle, was launched in February 2018 with Dutch retail chain, Ekoplaza, who dedicated parts of their stores to plastic-free produce all labeled with the Plastic Free Trust Mark. Two years later, the Plastic Free Trust Mark has made its way to the United States with Sunrays mandarins.

"Already recognized as the first socially conscious mandarin brand through their giveback initiative with Save the Children, Sunrays® has now added the environment to their focus for impact," Paap shared. “From the moment we launched Sunrays®, we felt it was important that the brand become a symbol of positive impact. We started with a mission to create a brighter future for all children – here at home in the U.S. and around the world. Today we are expanding that mission to creating a brighter future for our planet."

"According to UN Environment, there are now 100 million tons of plastic in the oceans," he continued. "It’s poisoning marine life and harming humans. Plastic pollution is a real problem and we can no longer sit idle. By offering plastic-free alternatives to consumers we hope that we can begin to reduce plastic pollution. The Sunrays® plastic-free packs are 100 percent paper-based sourced from tree fibers in the United States. For every tree harvested to create the paperboard, four trees are planted in its place. According to the U.S. Forest Service, this act has resulted in 30 percent more forested land in the U.S. than 30 years ago."

South American citrus season underway
For Jac. Vandenberg, the South American citrus season has started with the first shipments of easy peelers already arrived. The company has a year-round citrus program, including of the Sunrays mandarins.

"Sunrays® mandarins are available year-round," Paap said. "During the winter months, we source our easy peelers from Spain and Morocco. Currently, we distribute Sunrays® all over the United States."

Source: Fresh Plaza