I like to think that our farmers are leaders and adapters of new technology, and the research and development into alternative packaging has been an ongoing effort.
As you can appreciate, a lot of the greenhouse vegetables contain a significant amount of water, so fibre products are just not an alternative that can provide packaging that protects the produce.
We talk about food waste and we talk about food security and and we talk about food traceability, but it doesn't really matter if the product doesn't last on the shelf or make it to the shelf. That shipment and that packaging appear to absorb that moisture, and the shelf life on that product deteriorates significantly.
That is not to say that alternative packaging isn't on the forefront. I would suggest that the amount of plastic elimination our sector has engaged in thus far is significant. I believe that it's less than 3% that produce packaging contributes to plastic waste across Canada. What is left is truly to protect the produce to ensure that it has a shelf life and that food safety and traceability are covered. It also eliminates unnecessary food waste.