The Science of Making Fruits and Veggies Last Longer | Jenny Du | TED

Overview

This talk explores the global issue of food waste and its environmental impact, highlighting an innovative, plant-based solution to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Jenny Du shares the journey of Apeel Sciences, a company she co-founded, which uses natural compounds found in fruit peels to reduce spoilage, improve food accessibility, and promote sustainability.

Notable Quotes

- If global food waste was a country, it’d be the third-highest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the US. – Jenny Du, on the environmental cost of food waste.

- The waste bin is kind of my best friend. The more that people throw away, the more they have to come back and buy again. – Jenny Du, quoting industry resistance to change.

- It takes that day and a half of a perfect avocado and extends it to four days. Maybe you’ll actually have a chance to use it before you throw it away. – Jenny Du, on the practical impact of Apeel's innovation.

🍎 The Global Food Waste Crisis

- A staggering one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, with fresh fruits and vegetables accounting for half of that.

- Food waste isn't just about discarded produce; it represents wasted resources like water, land, labor, and energy.

- If food waste were a country, it would rank as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, underscoring its environmental toll.

🌱 Nature-Inspired Innovation

- Plants naturally protect themselves with a peel, made of fatty acids and glycerides, which prevent moisture loss and decay.

- Apeel Sciences developed a plant-based, edible coating that mimics this natural barrier, extending the freshness of produce without relying on refrigeration, pesticides, or plastic packaging.

- The innovation uses minimal material—just a fraction of a raisin’s weight per avocado—and can be washed off easily.

🍋 Early Experiments and Success Stories

- The first trials involved finger limes, where the coating extended their shelf life by an additional week.

- The solution has since been applied to a wide range of produce, including avocados, tomatoes, berries, and cucumbers, with remarkable results like retaining higher vitamin C levels in blueberries.

- Tomatoes treated with the coating can be harvested ripe, improving taste and nutrient density while still surviving transportation.

🌍 Environmental and Social Impact

- Since 2021, Apeel has prevented 166 million pieces of produce from going to waste, saving 7 billion liters of water and avoiding 29,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

- The technology is particularly valuable in regions without reliable refrigeration, enabling small growers to bring unique varieties to market.

- By reducing spoilage, the innovation could increase the diversity of fruits and vegetables available to consumers.

🚧 Challenges and Industry Resistance

- Some food industry players resist change, viewing food waste as a driver of repeat purchases.

- Despite these hurdles, Apeel Sciences continues to collaborate with global regulators and supply chains, aiming to transform the post-harvest food system.

- Jenny Du emphasizes that while their solution isn’t a silver bullet, it’s part of a broader movement to create a sustainable and abundant food system.