Sustainable pot options

Produce Grower: Explain the two new pot offerings Jiffy is bringing to growers.

Alf Andersen: We have identified that we need to go towards the CEA industry, so we have started with these products. There's a 5.7-centimeter (2.2 inches) pot and a 6.2-centimeter (2.4 inches) pot, and each has been designed and built so the performance is perfect and fits automated systems designed for CEA. This is not a plastic product - that's important for us to say and for the producers to know. It’s a natural and organic material. The root development is noticeably superior, and the roots will penetrate the pot while getting the nutrition it needs. We compare it to a lunchbox — it has everything you need.

Jiffy Pots are certified with ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System and are OMRI Listed.They are also produced in North America.

PG: Is there a benefit for growers in moving away from plastics and being more active in moving away from plastic?

AA: 100%. With our products, there’s absolutely no waste at all. Everything is compostable. There are no additives in it, everything is made with organic material. Secondly, we see that it’s less labor intensive because you don't have all of this handling with the pots compared to the plastic pots growers might be more used to. ... Many systems out there are built for plastic, so, it will require some adjustment for growers and us to fit this in. But we can help growers adjust and share with them what has worked with other growers. If there’s willingness, there's opportunity.

PG: What about extended shelf life — how do your products help growers achieve products that last longer on the shelf?

AA: We see shelf life increased with our products because we have plants in pots where they get better airflow during the entire production cycle. And when the plants in general, have a stronger root system it gives a better yield and a stronger plant mass, which brings the plant in a strong condition when going into the retailer. The plants will also stay stronger on the shelf.

PG: How do these pots fit with different automation systems?

AA: The pots were designed with a double rim system, which gives the pot more strength, and make it easier to destack. The pots are designed to be a strong organic alternative that fits most of the automation systems we know that are on the market globally. One customer we are working with needed an adjustment to have it fit, but we made it work with these pots. In many cases, the adjustments are very small, and we can help growers do them correctly help growers do them correctly.