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Upcycling Food: A New Term for an Old Idea

“Upcycling” is a word that is cropping up everywhere these days, and food production is no exception. Typically, this term means taking something that would have been discarded and finding a new and different use for it. At FruitSmart, this concept has always been at the core of what we do.

What is Upcycled Food?

In the food industry, upcycling means taking the parts of a raw ingredient that would have been thrown away during the production process and making other valuable products out of it instead. In some ways, this is a new term for a process that has been going on for years. 

At FruitSmart we take the seeds, skins, and pulp left over after we make our outstanding juices, concentrates, and purees and turn them into valuable products. We challenge ourselves every year to become more efficient and find fresh ways to squeeze every bit of goodness from the fruits and vegetables we process. You can call it sustainability or upcycling or environmentally sound processes that reduce waste. We call it turning what’s left over into something useful and wholesome. 

Fruit solids that would otherwise be thrown away have always had a use at FruitSmart. Fruit fibers, seeds, seed oils, and powders all can be used in a wide variety of products. Nutrition bars, baked goods, and cereals are just the beginning of a long list of great products that can be enhanced with all-natural, nutritious dry fruit ingredients. 

Our goal is that every piece of produce that comes in the door is used to its highest potential, and that means more than just making the highest quality juices and concentrates we can. The seeds, pulp, and skins, called pomace, left over after we make our juices are still highly valuable. Fruit fiber, seeds, and more are all created from that pomace, meaning we are making the most efficient, most effective use of the produce we buy. 

The market for upcycled food is only going to grow as time goes on. Consumers are more and more concerned with buying healthy food and drink for their bodies, and now they are looking for products that are healthy for the earth as well. This means ensuring the products they buy are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. 

Tackling the Problem of Food Waste

Food waste is a huge problem not just for the environment, but also for business. Some estimates suggest nearly $1 trillion dollars are lost globally every year in our food systems. Upcycled food has the potential to help reduce those losses, as well as potentially help reduce the 70 billion tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from food waste. 

Though some producers are just now finding ways to tackle this problem, FruitSmart has been finding ways to upcycle pomace for decades. This history of efficient, environmentally friendly business is just how things are done at FruitSmart. We are proud to be among the first companies to be part of the Upcycling Food Association. The UFA exists to help track, certify, and promote upcycled food producers to help businesses and consumers identify when the products they buy have been made in one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly ways possible—by using valuable parts of fruits and vegetables that would have otherwise been thrown away. 

These days, everyone is looking to reduce their environmental footprint. Using fruit powders and dry ingredients from FruitSmart can do just that while providing extra nutritional punch. By using parts of fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be thrown away, you are helping to reduce food waste just by creating the quality products people love.

Sustainability has become a buzzword that is easy to throw around, but at FruitSmart, it has a very real meaning. By using the entire fruit, we are able to make the widest variety of high quality products possible. For our partners this can be a huge selling point. Not only do ingredients from FruitSmart help you create nutritious, high-quality final products, but they can help you tap into the rising wave of consumer sentiment focused on finding new, inventive uses for parts of produce that was previously discarded. 

If you are interested in learning more about FruitSmart, and how we have been making the most of the quality produce we use to make our juices, essences, and concentrates, contact a member of our sales team today.

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