Anaheim, Calif. – To better accommodate business needs and growth, PEAKfresh® USA has recently purchased and moved into new office space located in Lake Forest, Calif. The move, official March 1, will relocate the sales, shipping and customer service operations of the Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) film brands company.

“Lake Forest offers a great, central location in Orange County for our employees and a newer building that we own rather than the older office space we had been leasing,” said Greg Ganzerla, president of PEAKfresh® USA. “The relocation is a positive change for the business and employees alike.”

The new offices will house the sales, customer service and shipping departments of PEAKfresh®, currently used by more than $300 million of produce shipped worldwide. Additionally, Lake Forest, Calif. has been ranked among the safest cities in the United States.

PEAKfresh® is highly effective for protecting a variety of produce and flowers prone to early ripening, including berries, grapes, asparagus, cut flowers, broccoli, tomatoes, stone fruits and mixed loads of fresh vegetables. Based on proprietary mineral technology embedded in their film, PEAKfresh’s products – carton or box liners, bulk bin liners, sheeting, pallet covers and retail packs – naturally remove ethylene gas given off by packaged produce that causes and promotes decay. In addition to removing ethylene, the PEAKfresh® technology also supplies an anti-fog treatment to reduce moisture levels and draws condensation onto the film, inhibiting mold and bacteria growth and preserving the appearance of flowers. PEAKfresh’s sustainable business approach is a win-win for all involved parties – produce and flower suppliers, retailers and consumers.

PEAKfresh® currently has seven commercial products including: Carton or Box Liners for long-distance shipping; Bulk Bin Liners; Pallet Covers; Iceless Broccoli Packaging (also works great for green onions, carrots and radishes); Duo Bags for Fresh Herbs; Flower Sheets; Bags; and Retail Packs. All PEAKfresh® products are recyclable and certified by OMRI code:pfp-2278 based on the requirements of the USDA National Organic Program Rule (7 CFR Part 205).

Source: PEAKfresh USA 

Constantly striving to provide customers with the highest-quality product, a reputation The Sun Valley Group takes seriously, the Arcata, Calif.-based floral grower tried Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) films by PEAKfresh at the recommendation of a colleague. After several test runs with varying flower varieties, Sun Valley concluded that PEAKfresh was a justifiable cost due to increased customer satisfaction, prolonging of fresh-cut flower life and a reduction of shrink.

“PEAKfresh showed unwavering confidence and support while we completed several successful test runs before fully committing to the implementation of their product within our shipping business model,” said Rodi Groot, Sun Pacific bouquet manager and Oxnard warehouse manager for The Sun Valley Group. “Using the PEAKfresh MAP films, a first for Sun Valley, has had tremendous value for our operation – helping preserve our floral products’ freshness and quality appearance while extending the storage and shipping life of each flower, thus reducing waste.”

“Our packaging technology works beautifully with the shipping of floral products,” said Greg Ganzerla, president of PEAKfreshUSA. “The Sun Valley Group has found a profitable business solution for two significant floral industry woes – simply by adding a packaging film to selected shipments.”

For the last 10 years and growing, PEAKfresh continues to offer easy and practical solutions that help produce and floral industry companies become more sustainable financially and environmentally. Through its manufacturing and supply of specialty MAP films and related products, PEAKfresh helps some of the industry’s leading growers/shippers, packers and exporters adopt more socially responsible and sustainable business solutions.

Based on proprietary mineral technology embedded in their film, PEAKfresh’s products – carton liners, bulk bin liners, sheeting and pallet covers – naturally remove ethylene gas given off by packaged produce that causes and promotes decay. PEAKfresh products protect fruits, vegetables and flowers from ethylene gas and other exposure during long shipping and storage periods, while ensuring that the shipped produce arrives at its destination fresh and safe. In addition to removing ethylene, the PEAKfresh technology also supplies an anti-fog treatment to reduce moisture levels and draws condensation onto the film, inhibiting mold and bacteria growth and preserving the appearance of flowers. PEAKfresh’s sustainable business approach is a win-win for all involved parties – produce and flower suppliers, retailers and consumers.

PEAKfresh currently has six commercial products including carton liners for long-distance shipping; bulk bin liners and pallet covers; an iceless broccoli packaging (also works great for green onions, carrots and radishes); Duo Bags for Fresh Herbs; and, Flower Sheets and Bags. All PEAKfresh products are recyclable and certified to be in compliance with the Biological Farmers of Australia standards.

Because of these factors, PEAKfreshUSA, a firm based in Anaheim, CA, that specializes in modified atmosphere packing materials, has targeted the strawberry industry for growth.

Company President Greg Ganzerla said that the PEAKfresh pallet bag is being offered as an excellent alternative to the Tectrol treated packaging that is often used in long-distance shipping of strawberries. When a pallet of strawberries is treated with Tectrol, the pallet is enclosed in a pallet bag, the Tectrol modified atmosphere is injected into the bag, and then it is taped closed for shipping.

Mr. Ganzerla said that the PEAKfresh packing material resins, including pallet bags and box liners, are impregnated with minerals that allow the material itself to provide the modified atmosphere. He said it works by absorbing the ethylene gas that is a natural occurrence in the ripening of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Because the material absorbs that ethylene gas, it extends the shelf life of the product inside.

The firm’s president stated that strawberries shipped in a PEAKfresh pallet bag will have a shelf life of at least 20 days.

He added that the process is competitive with Tectrol-treated shipments and other modified atmosphere alternatives largely because of the labor savings. “To treat a pallet of strawberries with Tectrol is typically a three-man operation that takes two to three minutes per pallet,” he said. “Our pallet bag takes one man about 20 seconds.”

The use of these modified atmosphere impregnated pallet bags also offers an advantage at the retail distribution center. Mr. Ganzerla said that once a regular pallet bag filled with modified atmosphere has been opened for inspection, it loses its effectiveness. Not so with the PEAKfresh bag. After inspection, the bag can be closed, and it will continue to slow the aging process, he said.

The PEAKfresh material was actually developed in Australia in the early 1990s and was used on overseas shipments of fruits and vegetables from Australia and New Zealand. Its foray into North America came in the late 1990s in Canada, which was when Mr. Ganzerla was introduced to the product.

Initially, his company – Ganzerla & Associates Inc. – represented PEAKfresh as a distributor. In 2005, he purchased the licensing agreement for all of North America and launched PEAKfreshUSA.

In 2008, he also acquired the licensing rights for South America and has found some willing customers in that arena. He said that many produce and flower shippers have found good use for the box liners. “Using our product, a flower shipper can now send flowers to the United States by ocean liner and they do not have to use air freight, which is very expensive,” he said. He added that South American fruit growers have also found utility for the box liners, as have U.S. broccoli shippers. “If you use our box liners with broccoli, you don’t have to ice it,” he said. Mr. Ganzerla also touted the recyclability of the material. He said that PEAKfreshUSA offers recycle bins for large receivers of the material. And the company is currently researching new biodegradable resins, and eventually he expects to offer the PEAKfresh technology in a completely “green” environment. While the firm is concentrating much of its efforts on the commercial sector of agriculture, the company also offers a home pack for consumers. The home pack retails for around $5 and includes 10 PEAKfresh bags measuring 12 by 16 inches. Mr. Ganzerla said that the bags can be used at home for about two months to extend the shelf life of virtually any fruit or vegetable. He did caution, however, that both the commercial materials and those used at home work best with pre-cooled product. He said that if a fruit, vegetable or flower is enclosed in a PEAKfresh bag and then cooled, condensation will build up within the bag. While ethylene gas will still be absorbed, the moisture within the bag will counteract the positive effects that are occurring.

I had tried those Debbie Meyer Green Bags (thanks to SIL Lis) and was disappointed. These sounded like more of the same.

But according to “The Sprout People”: These bags are amazing! We have tested sprouts, fruits and veggies. We had Cilantro in one of these bags for a month! Plastic bags will still do for storing your sprouts, but if you want the best – for every sprout, fruit and vegetable – try these!

You know us, we don’t sell stuff just to sell it – these really are awesome. The bags are widely reviewed (positively), and like we said above – our personal experience is great, so we think it is a good bet you’ll be happy with them.

Read more about these bags ($5.85 for 10 re-usable bags) here.

These bags really are superior to just storing produce in regular plastic bags! Really. I didn’t expect them to perform at all. I stored a cut ripe avocado in a bag–following the directions to press out the air in the bag & seal with a twist tie. It stayed green and fresh for 10 days–and I had fresh avocado to spread on my sandwiches. Far superior to a regular bag or container.

Then I decided to try cilantro, which always ends up rotting in the bag after I use it once for a recipe. Not this time! The same for the lacinato kale. They are as fresh as the first day I bought them, after 10 days. I wish I could report that they lasted longer–but I used them up.

My light bulb discovery!

- I followed the PEAKfresh directions. Pre-cool warm fruit and vegetables in refrigerator before storing in bag. Check!
- Use a separate bag for each type of produce. Check!
- Produce should be fresh, dry, and undamaged. Easier said than done. But a key step!

DRY! Wetness is what rots produce quicker than you can blink an eye. And with all those grocery store sprinklers drenching the greens & herbs getting them dry is tough. I’ve tried blotting them with towels – but when I wanted to test out the PEAKfresh bags the “towel dry” method was not doing the job.

I thought about laying the greens out to dry on the kitchen counter, but I didn’t want to take the time to do it.

Then it dawned on me! Use a hair dryer. I laid out the greens, zapped them with the hair dryer, and in 2 minutes they were dry enough to get bagged. Yes, it’s an extra step, but produce is expensive. It beats having to throw out rotted veggies. Don’t laugh. It worked.

Publication date: February 27, 2010 Author: The Healthy Librarian

Straw PEAKfresh does not need any special tools, machinery, gases, rubber bands or tape to be used unlike the antiquated C02 systems or C02 pads. It takes considerably less labour to implement and saves the shippers a lot of money.

Scott Morton from PEAKfresh explains how the packaging enhances the shelf life of strawberries, “The pallet covers protect the fruit in transit. PEAKfresh removes ethylene gas and provides an anti-fog technology which keeps moisture or condensation away from the berries when temperatures fluctuate during transportation. The open PEAKfresh system allows less warming of the product while pallet covers are installed. When the closed system or C02 is applied, the berries loose a few degrees of temperature therefore, creating a warmer environment and condensation.” He continues, “The open system also allows for product to be inspected by truck drivers prior to loading simply by lifting the pallet cover and lowering it back into place after inspection. When product is received at distribution level, it can be again inspected by lifting the pallet covers and then reinstalled to further protect produce inside the warehouses from other damaging gasses and all the way to store level.”

The fact that the PEAKfresh system uses no damaging gas and is recyclable makes it environmentally friendly. It also means that the retailer throws less product away and gives the consumer a fresher product with a longer shelf life.

The Section Life Sciences & Technology of the Noordelijke Hogeschool in Leeuwarden/the Netherlands, did some research, commissioned by the Dutch company Freeland, about the characteristics of the PEAKfresh packaging. The research results showed that the vegetables tested (broccoli, butter lettuce and iceberg lettuce) stayed fresh, crisp and green for longer and the weight loss was limited compared to conventional packaging.

PEAKfesh is said to be bio-degradable (no material specification is given) and has permission to also be used for organic and EKO products.

Considering that one third of all fresh vegetables never reach the consumer, PEAKfresh might play an important role in improving this situation. Butter lettuce and iceberg lettuce will have a much longer shelf life in the shops, but also at home, where consumer might only use half of the lettuce and wants to save the rest for later. Butter lettuce has a bad name when it comes to shelf life.

TBasically PEAKfresh bags can be used for nearly all fruit and vegetables. Sorry to say, but there is little technical information available from the company, neither from the technical institute, which carried out the research. As a consequence I am not able to judge the correctness of what I’m stating here. It is just hearsay, mixed with third hand promotion.

Through its manufacturing and supply of specialty Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) films and related products, PEAKfresh helps produce companies adopt more socially responsible and sustainable business solutions.

Based on proprietary mineral technology embedded in their film, PEAKfresh’s products – carton liners, bulk bin liners, sheeting and pallet covers – naturally remove ethylene gas given off by packaged produce that causes and promotes decay. PEAKfresh products protect fruits, vegetables and flowers from ethylene gas and other exposure during long shipping and storage periods, while ensuring that the shipped produce arrives at its destination fresh and safe.

“As every grower/shipper knows, ethylene and condensation is the enemy of packaged produce,” said Greg, Ganzerla, president of PEAKfresh USA. “In addition to removing ethylene that causes decay, our technology also supplies an anti-fog treatment to reduce moisture levels and draws condensation onto the film, inhibiting mold and bacteria growth on the produce. We are very proud of our sustainable business approach because it is a win-win for everyone – produce and flower suppliers, retailers and consumers alike.”

During a time when reducing carbon footprint is of primary concern, PEAKfresh offers a green solution. Some of the nation’s leading farmers, packers and exporters of strawberries have had particular success in using PEAKfresh as an alternative to carbon dioxide-based produce packaging technology. Dover, Fla.-based Parksdale Farm grows strawberries and has used PEAKfresh technology for seven years.

“We grow and ship our strawberries to distances as far as Toronto, Canada and the northeastern part of the United States, and have found no difference on arrival between PEAKfresh and traditional TECTROL gassing technologies,” said Ken Andrews of Parksdale Farm. “Because PEAKfresh is easier to use, we have saved a lot of time and money in packing our berries but more importantly, we feel environmentally responsible by not engaging a gassing method.”

As PEAKfresh celebrates its tenth anniversary, it proudly thanks California-based Valley Fresh and Florida-based Dixie Growers for their loyalty in using PEAKfresh for packing and shipping strawberries.

“We’ve used PEAKfresh for ten years to package and ship our strawberries to market with great success,” said John Cottle of Watsonville, Calif.-based Valley Fresh. “We like PEAKfresh so much; we sell its proven technology to other growers with extreme confidence. All I tell them is to ask for a free trial and they’ll discover on their own how easy it is in time and labor to use PEAKfresh.”
Carolyn Howell, of Dixie Growers in Plant City, Fla., has also experienced the benefits of packing and shipping strawberries with PEAKfresh for the last 10 years. “We’ve never missed all the pallets, gas machines, tape and labor needed to bag with TECTROL. Retailers simply want the strawberries bagged and delivered fresh. We tried PEAKfresh and it works just as well today as when we first used it 10 years ago.”

Besides the legacy of success with strawberry growers, PEAKfresh is expanding into new fruit and vegetable produce segments. “The last 10 years have been very rewarding as growers discovered the cost effective and earth-friendly benefits of our technology. We know that being a tried-and-true gas-free alternative in Modified Atmosphere Packaging will take us into the next ten years and beyond,” added Ganzerla.

Trusted for 10 years by some of the industry’s leading growers/shippers, packers and exporters, PEAKfresh ensures that more than $300 million in produce arrives at its destination worldwide, fresher, safer and tastier. PEAKfresh is highly effective for protecting a variety of produce and flowers prone to early ripening, including berries, asparagus, cut flowers, broccoli, tomatoes, stone fruits and mixed loads of fresh vegetables.

PEAKfresh currently has six commercial products including carton liners for long-distance shipping; bulk bin liners and pallet covers; an iceless broccoli packaging (also works great for green onions, carrots and radishes); Duo Bags for Fresh Herbs; and, Flower Sheets and Bags. All PEAKfresh are recyclable and certified to be in compliance with organic standards.

Anaheim, Calif. (October 22, 2009) – During a time when reducing carbon footprints along the food chain is of primary concern, those in the produce industry want to ensure that their choice for keeping produce fresh does not come at the expense of the environment and people’s safety. At the recent Produce Marketing Association show, the buzz on the floor was that a highly effective gas-free solution was available to leading growers, distributors and grocers.

“The number one question I was asked at PMA was ‘Do you gas?’ and I’m proud to say absolutely not,” says Greg Ganzerla, President of PEAKfresh® USA, a leading modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) company. Using an antiquated, sealed system that requires gassing is environmentally un-friendly and uses dangerous carbon dioxide that ultimately is released into the atmosphere.”

“PEAKfresh® offers a modern, green solution by using bags, carton liners and pallet covers impregnated with an all-natural mineral film that removes and absorbs the ethylene gas, the catalyst for the ripening process,” continues Ganzerla. PEAKfresh® keeps our customer’s produce safe, fresh and delicious, while never compromising the environment. The study conducted by UC Davis demonstrates that PEAKfresh® is just as effective as older methods – so customers feel good knowing they’re not compromising on efficacy.”

The good news is that there are some berry grower/shippers throughout California and Mexico, including Eclipse Berry Farms, Sweet Darling, Red Blossom Farms, Expo Fresh, Hill Ranch, Agro-Jal, Deardorff Family Farms, Orange County Produce and Valley Fresh Produce, as well as nearly all of the berry growers/shippers in Florida that have adopted this revolutionary, green technology, with impressive end results. Ganzerla says he is looking forward to seeing the vast majority of national berry shippers who currently use non-retrievable C02 gassing methods, and who ship to major store chains, switch to more environmentally responsible shipping alternatives.

“By using PEAKfresh® as our trusted packaging partner, we take serious pride in knowing we are not only offering our customers the freshest and tastiest berries, but also that we are leading the charge to make the berry industry’s practices more environmentally sound,” says Rick Hearst of Eclipse Berry Farms, a leading berry grower in Oxnard and Watsonville, Calif., the country’s berry-growing capital. “Our hope is that others in the produce and retail industry will more fully understand the risks of gassing and switch to PEAKfresh® because it’s safer for their employees and the environment.”

Trusted since 1992 by some of the world’s leading growers/shippers, packers and exporters, PEAKfresh® makes sure more than $300 million in produce arrives at its destination, fresher, safer and tastier. PEAKfresh® is highly effective for protecting a variety of produce prone to early ripening, including berries, asparagus, cut flowers, broccoli, tomatoes, stone fruits and mixed loads of fresh vegetables.

PEAKfresh® products contain an anti-fogging treatment that removes moisture formation, inhibiting mold and bacteria growth, while simultaneously maintaining a high-humidity environment so delicate items like flowers and green vegetables do not dehydrate.

PEAKfresh® is a MAP that is not sealed, giving customers more value for their money as it can remain on the produce all the way to store level. Unlike sealed systems, the pallet covers can be removed at anytime for quality or temperature inspection. The covers can then be quickly reapplied, protecting the remaining produce at the same efficacy level until the pallet is uncovered again. The pallet covers are easy to remove and reapply, requiring one person and no special equipment. It also is an ideal choice for shipping internationally via air and sea freight.

PEAKfresh® currently has six commercial products including carton liners for long-distance shipping; bulk bin liners and pallet covers; an iceless broccoli packaging (also works great for green onions, carrots and radishes); Duo Bags for Fresh Herbs; and, Flower Sheets and Bags. All PEAKfresh® products are recyclable and certified to be in compliance with organic standards