Thanks to the ingenious design of Mother Nature, fruits and vegetables feature a protective “peel” that safeguards their tender insides from drying out and spoiling. A Boston-based startup, Foodberry, is emulating this natural protection by developing barriers for various foods such as hummus, coffee, ice cream, yogurt, and peanut butter and jelly. These barriers are made from coatings of fibers, phytonutrients, and minerals inspired by the natural chemistries found in fruit skins and peels. The company was founded by CEO Marty Kolewe during his time at Harvard University, where his professor, David Edwards, introduced the concept of reverse engineering fruit skin to produce edible packaging. This collaboration led to the establishment of Incredible Foods, now rebranded as Foodberry.
Foodberry holds over 20 patents related to these innovative membranes, and Kolewe recently shared with Axios that they aim to finalize a $15 million Series A funding round by the close of 2023. The company is already collaborating with brands like NadaMoo! and Keji for their ice cream and yogurt offerings, and they are eager to expand partnerships to create new food formats. At the New York Summer Fancy Food Show, Foodberry displayed products such as peanut butter encased in a raspberry coating and yogurt enveloped in a blueberry shell.
The peels of numerous fruits and vegetables are abundant in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In addition to their health benefits, these peels serve a protective function, preventing browning and prolonging the freshness of the food inside. In today’s fast-paced world, consumers increasingly demand convenient foods that are easy to carry and highly appealing. However, many long-shelf-life snacks are often laden with preservatives, as manufacturers frequently add excessive salt and fat to extend their freshness.
Central to Foodberry’s technology are the berry “skins.” This technology incorporates two concepts: microencapsulation, where active substances are enveloped in small capsules, and controlled release, where substances are released at a predetermined rate, tailored for food applications. Consequently, Foodberry produces edible, non-permeable, plant-based coatings derived from fruit and vegetable fibers, aimed at replacing environmentally harmful packaging like plastic. For instance, their hummus product is coated with fibers from roasted red peppers, while their ice cream varieties feature an assortment of coatings, including mango, orange crème, peanut butter, mint, and salted caramel.
Incorporating elements such as calcium citrate where to buy can enhance the nutritional profile of these innovative foods, making them even more appealing to health-conscious consumers. As the demand for sustainable and convenient food options grows, Foodberry is positioned to play a significant role in redefining how we think about packaging and food preservation.