"Belgium: "Fruit and vegetable sushi gain popularity"

Frutifresh, subsidiary of Veiling Haspengouw (H-Fresh), Belgium, introduced the fruit and vegetable sushi during Fruit Logistica. "The reactions to these trendy treats are very positive", says Luc Royackers of the Commercial Department. "It's a tasty combination of fruit or vegetables with rice in the shape of sushi and stands for fresh, well-balanced and healthy."

"This snack is originally from Japan and it can really be served any time of the day. You can have the sushi with breakfast, as a garnish, as a snack and as a dessert", he says. "The products have a low calorie level and it's an original way to increase the fruit and vegetable consumption."

Presentation during Fruit Logistica. On the left Gaston De Baets (manager) and on the right Luc Royackers (commercial)

Frutifresh is specialised in cutting and packaging fresh fruit from all over the world. The assortment consists of fresh mono fruits, fruit salads and fruit juices. "The fruit and vegetable sushis aren't made by us yet, but by our supplier in France", says Luc. "This is because the production volumes are still too small to produce ourselves. But I expect to make the fruit and vegetable sushi ourselves here in Sint-Truiden on the long term, because their popularity is increasing. We're the exclusive distributors of this product and the sushi is only available on order."

"There are two packaging possibilities at the moment: The fruit sushi's packaged in a dish of 28 pieces (mixed) for use in catering, or a retail packaging of 10 pieces with matching fruit coulis. For the vegetable sushi there is also a mixed dish of 28 pieces and a retail packaging of 12 pieces with matching soy and horseradish sauce."

The fruit and vegetable sushi can be kept for about 5 days. "Frutifresh only works with fresh products", explain Luc. "We want to keep the chain as short as possible and think it's important to work with the right transport partner with an as wide as possible assortment. Our goal is satisfaction for a fresh product."

For more information:
Luc Royackers
H-Fresh / Frutifresh
Schuurhovenveld 3110
3800 Sint-Truiden – Belgium
Tel: +32-11670670
luc.r@frutifresh.be
Luc.r@h-fresh.be
www.h-fresh.be