Mitolo Family Farms Pioneers Sustainable Paper Packaging for Fresh Potatoes in Australia

In a pioneering move, Mitolo Family Farms, Australia’s potato and onion category leader, has collaborated with supermarket chain Coles and sustainable packaging innovators Detpak, to introduce Australia’s first curbside recyclable paper bag for fresh potatoes. This packaging innovation means Mitolo Family Farms’ premium Gourmandine potatoes will now be sold in these paper bags, cutting plastic usage by 64% compared to previous packaging. This move builds on Mitolo Family Farms’ past sustainability efforts, including a reduction in the thickness of their plastic packaging in 2022.

This recyclable paper packaging was developed over a period of three years. The hope is that this could set a precedent for other fresh produce to be packaged in a way that encourages consumer recycling efforts. The project required careful consideration of several factors to ensure the quality of the potatoes was not compromised, including in-store lighting, the design of breathable holes, sealing solutions, and bag strength.

Detpak applied its proprietary technology to deliver on both sustainability and efficiency outcomes for Mitolo Family Farms, Coles, and consumers. The Gourmandine potatoes are available exclusively at Coles supermarkets, who have expressed their pleasure in partnering with Mitolo Family Farms to develop this innovative packaging solution. The partnership aligns with Coles’ goal to reduce unnecessary and problematic plastic packaging in its stores, as well as to minimize food waste.