AVOCADOS are more popular than ever and one WA business is the first in the State to utilise high pressure processing (HPP) to make fresh, long-lasting avocado products.
Fresh Produce Alliance (FPA), based in Manjimup, is using HPP to produce nutritionally dense, natural and preservative-free products for markets all over the world.
FPA managing shareholder Jennie Franceschi became aware that, on average 30 per cent of fresh produce never made it past the farmgate and she wanted to create a business that minimised food waste on farms and potentially prolonged generational farming.
Referring to herself as a “solution sort of person”, Ms Franceschi was looking for a way that she could help farmers gain more value for their produce and said, “if we can get this product that has zero value and then get some value for it, then it has a positive impact”.
“You can’t begrudge someone for selling their property to the highest bidder if they are an offshore buyer, they have worked all their life and it’s their prerogative to sell,” Ms Franceschi said.
“So I thought ‘what can I do to support generational farming families and add value to their business?’.”
Ms Franceschi has always been interested in everything avocado and knowing that the demand for avocados was increasing rapidly and an ‘avo-lanch’ expected in the next few years, she thought this would be the prefect product to start with.
“The avocado packing business is something I have been involved with for 30 years so it works and as production increases so does that business,” she said.
“FPA is different in that it is product development and then taking things to market.
“We have developed the product and now we need to sell it for us to make a real impact.”
FPA’s core products come under its Avovita range which includes 100pc pure avocado puree, avocado chocolate mousse and avocado smoothies, which are all made with HPP technology.
HPP technology is a cold pasteurising technique that involves the product, which is sealed in its final packaging, being introduced into a vessel and then subjected to high levels of isostatic pressure that is transmitted by water.
The high pressure inactivates the vegetative flora (bacteria, virus, yeasts, moulds and parasites), in food and so extends the product’s shelf life and guarantees food safety.
After this process, the product needs to be stored in a chilled place and can last for multiple weeks, depending on the product.
HPP is the only technique that keeps produce fresh (not frozen), while maintaining optimal flavour and nutritional value.
It is a different technology to the ultra-high temperature treated (retorted) products which are shelf stable.
Very high temperatures actually kill off many nutrients and change the flavour, however they can be stored out of the fridge.
HPP products are required to be kept in a fridge and have a much shorter shelf life compared to shelf stable products.
All FPA’s juices are made without using concentrates and preservatives.
Ms Franceschi realised that the properties of HPP food could be very valuable to infants and so she developed another range called Born Pure, which consists of baby food that is also suitable for the elderly and people suffering various illnesses.
The Born Pure products also maintain their nutritional integrity through HPP and have a range of textures, retain the natural colour and flavour so elderly and ill customers can still enjoy fresh, tasty and healthy food.
FPA was recognised for its innovation and won a Department of Regional Development Award in 2016, but furthermore, the business was recently selected to be in the NAB Bank Agribusiness 2018 calendar.
Ms Franceschi said the NAB Bank and the Bunbury agribusiness manager Chris Omodei had been of great support over the years and she appreciated that different areas of the agricultural industry were considered, but still, she remained humble by the business’ success.
“Actually, we are a customer in the agricultural field, so it’s a fitting inclusion to their agribusiness calender,” she said.
“I am sure they share is around, so I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
It didn’t take long for markets all over the world to take a liking to FPA’s products as in less than two years, the business is already shipping orders to the Eastern States, Asia and the Middle East.
Just last week, the company’s Born Pure range launched into Woolworths stores in New South Wales, Victoria, and some in WA.