The Spaniard, Carlos Méndez Sastre, thought more fruit should be eaten out of doors, but he lacked an appealing presentation. That is why he started working on one himself. When he saw a tennis ball tube, the idea of the Fru&Tube was born. During the Fruit Attraction in Madrid, Spain, he presented the fruit tube to the masses. The result: worldwide interest from retail, wholesalers, filling stations, gyms, schools and cultivators.
“Overwhelming,” says Pascal Michel Caumartin about the positive responses to the fruit tube. “Two large Spanish producers came to talk about a collaboration, but we also received much demand from South America, especially Chile and Mexico, and even from the US. During the Fruit Attraction, people from the municipality Westland, the Netherlands, were also present and we are going to look into a cooperation to promote a healthy snack in the Fru&Tube.”
“In the Netherlands, Piet Paans from Waspik is going to deal with marketing the Fru&Tube,” Pascal says. “Naturally, we are also looking into the possibilities of manufacturing the tubes in the Netherlands, to remove transportation costs. We also received much demand from Belgium, and we have been invited to see how they cooperate with one of the largest fruit & veg wholesaler’s in November.”
“We are also looking into the possibilities of supplying vending machines with a Flemish company, for there is also demand for the entire concept. It would be wonderful if we could place the fruit tubes in vending machines next to sweet machines in schools, institutions and filling stations,” Pascal continues. “We even received a request from Russia, and we are negotiating with a company from Mexico that wants to produce the tubes for their own fruit, and to offer them, exclusively, to other cultivators.”
“The Fru&Tube was developed so that people can eat fruit anywhere. The tubes allow the fruit to be easily transported, and protects the contents against denting. It cost quite a bit of effort to develop this resealable Fru&Tube, without using a glued-on lid. The tubes are available in various sizes, and fitted out with all conveniences. For example, the Fru&Tube with kakis contains a cloth to clean the fruit, and the kiwi fruit comes with a spoon so you can eat it immediately.”
“Our goal is, in the first place, to supply great-tasting fruit. That is why we select the fruit that goes into the tube based on brix levels. We also offer salads and miniature vegetables, such as the Veggie Snack. We hope to make the world a bit healthier this way,” Pascal concludes.
For more information:
Pascal Michel Caumartin
Fru&Tube
Tel. The Netherlands: +31 629 852 2801
Tel. Spain: +34 654 896 247
pascal@fruitube.es
www.fruitube.es