Market watchers say there is a growing demand for new and improved flowering shrubs currently just as Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has released its 2020 Sustainability Report which “helps define what sustainable production means at scale for large producers”.
The company is taking a “bold” step in expanding its sustainability efforts beyond just its operations as a way to do its part in reducing the effects of climate change.
The report delves into the company’s commitment to ongoing environmental protection, providing healthy choices for consumers, and empowering the health and well-being of its team members and communities, including a list of its 2030 goals.
Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP of Research & Development, Hans Sauter, says “we are very proud of the steps we’ve taken and are taking to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system.
“However, what brings me the most joy is that our programs are truly born out of passion, starting at the ground level, literally and figuratively, with every team member taking an active role in advancing our efforts. This Sustainability Report is the mosaic of all the contributions our team members around the globe are living every single day.”
Just as expanding on the company’s commitment to growing responsibly and sustainably, efforts go beyond operations to create “resilient and multifunctional landscapes”, utilising a holistic approach to regenerative agriculture, the company works increase soil health, carbon sequestration, ecosystem services, water availability, and quality throughout its operations and watersheds.
Fresh Del Monte has already surpassed two of its 2025 sustainability goals around environmental protection and team member well-being.
The company this year set more ambitious goals for 2030, such as implementing regenerative and soil health management practices in 100 percent of owned and associate grower’s farms, reducing food loss and organic waste sent to landfills by 50 percent, and reducing virgin plastic usage by 25 percent on purchased consumer packaging compared with its 2020 baseline.
“Season after season we clearly see the demand for new and improved flowering shrubs growing,” says Bloomin’ Easy about their new varieties. This is why they are adding six new and improved flowering shrub varieties to their collection for spring 2022.
“From extended flowering and improved natural form, to fresh colors and strong reblooming, these novelties offer incredible value for young homeowners and plant lovers alike.”
In the meantime, the Bloomin’ easy team shares the six new varieties and what it is that makes them special. “The Torch Panicle Hydrangea is the earliest to flower we’ve seen from the category, and we grow a lot of the top selling varieties.
The Cherry-Go-Round Bigleaf Hydrangea has unique cherry red colored flowers combined with compact form and heavy reblooming power. And uts new Frill Ride Bigleaf Hydrangea has unique frilly red florets combined with compact form and heavy reblooming.
‘’Our Pearl Potion Dwarf Korean Lilac offers fragrant pearl white flowers and the Peach Kisses Weigela features reblooming peachy pink flowers with tidy form. The Pink Dynamo Mountain Hydrangea has a stunning combination of rich pink flowers and dark foliage”, says Bloomin’ Easy.
Brand manager of Bloomin’ Easy, DeVonne Friesen, says “each variety brings something new to the category. Season after season we clearly see the demand for new and improved flowering shrubs growing. From garden enthusiasts that want something new and unique, to young homeowners that also want low-maintenance function and pollinator support, the trend remains strong across North America.
‘’And the timing with the industry’s explosive growth makes it that much more rewarding for Bloomin’ Easy partners. We expect strong sales growth in these new varieties over the foreseeable future and our current partners are excited to get growing and propagating, beginning next spring. They should officially hit retail in spring of 2023.”
