Westfalia Fruit, a global avocado supplier, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Founded by the philanthropist and geologist Dr Hans Merensky in 1949, Westfalia continues to stay true to its purpose of 'Doing Good'.
Ahead of his time, 75 years ago Dr Merensky had the foresight to establish the Hans Merensky Trust to ensure that his pioneering spirit and support of local communities would be protected for future generations. From its roots in South Africa, Westfalia has an established global presence across 17 countries and 5 continents, uniquely working in partnership with local communities and investing in a sustainable future.
Below are a few examples of how Westfalia continues to make a positive impact locally and across the global industry.
New technology targeting food safety
Westfalia Fruit has successfully tested a natural method of ensuring food safety within the supply chain. This new method uses a probiotic uniquely distributed within a water mist circulated in the ripening room.
The trials found a 65% reduction in micro levels in the testing room compared to the control room. Avocados that had been treated with the probiotic remained mould free for up to fifteen days, which resulted in a reduction of internal rot of around 20%. This method has other clear benefits, eliminating the need for chemical cleaning materials and avoiding the need to shut down ripening rooms for cleaning.
Helping the climate and Colombian biodiversity
Westfalia is leading a unique effort in Colombia to care for a nationally protected area on its land in the Sonsón municipality, north-west of the capital Bogotá.
Since 2021, Westfalia Colombia has been working with the local government, community action committees and local producer associations, to protect the Maitamá páramo and restore ecologically important areas within its production farms as well as wider local ecosystems. More than 7000 trees have been planted and Westfalia Colombia is on track to plant more than 20,000 trees by 2025.
Westfalia’s community and sustainability projects worldwide reflect the company’s sustainable approach to business and its commitment to ensuring the conservation and management of natural resources as well as ensuring it is a leader in the avocado industry well into the future.
Westfalia Fruit will be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica. You can find them in Hall 5.2, stand D-21.
For more information:
Danielle Willems
Westfalia Fruit
Tel: +27 011 076 8358
Email: danielle.willems@westfaliafruit.com
www.westfaliafruit.com