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of former Whole Foods Market co-CEO
Walter Robb to its board of directors.
In response to these concerns, a growing
trend sees consumers pivoting towards
trusted sources like farmers markets.
Opting to purchase directly from organic
growers not only improves local agriculture
but also ensures access to untouched
are being vocal about intentionally produce, free from controversial coatings.
encouraging shoppers to refrain from As farmers markets gear up for the season,
purchasing any produce with the Apeel consumers are presented with a timely
sticker on it in order to make a statement opportunity to prioritize the purchase
to the Apeel corporation. of organic, locally sourced fruits, and
vegetables. This could be a really positive
Background: outcome from a scary shift in produce
Apeel was founded in 2012 by James Rogers options in mainstream grocery stores.
after receiving a $100,000 grant from
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Learn more about what store chains sell
to help reduce post-harvest food waste their produce in apeel coating here.
in developing countries that lacked
refrigeration infrastructure. After the Researched by Lauren Lovato
initial grant, backing has been provided
by Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, venture References:
capitalist firm Andreessen Horowitz, and https://naturesfoodpatch.com/apeel-is-not-
ATEL Capital Group. Apeel has raised appealing/
$110 million in financing to date. In June https://energymattersllc.com/blogs/news/
2018, Apeel was named a World Economic how-dangerous-is-apeel-produce-coating
https://www.apeel.com/how-apeel-works
Forum Technology Pioneer. In August https://www.healthline.com/health/food-
2018, Apeel announced the appointment nutrition/monoglycerides
myindigosun.com 33
