Kiwichips as an example of circular economy

“Four years ago we started growing yellow and red kiwis in the Crati Valley, in the province of Cosenza in Calabria. The estate covers approximately 110 hectares. The orchard is part of the Jingold Consortium. The kiwis that we grow are not suitable for the fresh market because they are too big. They are not thrown away but turned into chips, according to the rules of the circular economy â€, said Martina Aceto of Fratelli Aceto (photo on the right), who joined F.lli Aceto this year.

“The amount for processing varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions during the cultivation phase. The kiwifruit harvest for the new season has just started and we are expecting larger quantities than in previous years.

Back to basics, after a long trip abroad Silvio Aceto, who first emigrated to Toronto, decided to return to Calabria in 1974 to invest in horticulture and cattle ranching. An ambitious idea which, with effort and sacrifice, became a reality thanks to the cooperation and support of his whole family. Thus was born the company Aceto, which grew rapidly and extended its cultivation to kiwis, grapes, olives and vegetables. The harvests are intended for the company’s own dairy herd.

The company has a wide range of crops, but it has enriched its assortment with the production of fruit-based snacks. For this particular offering, it has specialized in advanced kiwi processing techniques, creating a natural product in which the aroma and flavor are enhanced and exalted.

“We are proud because the transformation of yellow, green and red pulp kiwis into crisps earned us a special mention at the Oscar Green Calabria 2021,” said Martina Aceto.

KiGold, KiGreen and KiRed “The project was born in the midst of a pandemic. We spent a year experimenting with different techniques before finding the one that worked best for us. In the end, we chose peeled kiwis, which are sliced ​​and dried for a long time. at low temperature in special ovens with the right humidity.The crisps contain no added sugars or preservatives and, according to analyzes carried out by the University of Calabria, they have a high content of vitamin C and potassium. green kiwifruit, which we do not grow, is provided by the Jingold Consortium. ”

A key part of the dehydrated kiwi project is that it follows a circular economy. “We start by harvesting on our farm land and once we have selected the product to deliver and the product to dry, all the waste – like the kiwi peel that we don’t use – is turned into biogas. no waste and everything is disposed of in a sustainable manner. ”

Kiwi chips are sold in bags under controlled atmosphere. “Our original idea was to showcase the product, and the only packaging that met our requirements was this plastic bag with an airtight seal.”

The 20 gram sachet, in particular, is an ideal snack on the go. “But there are other formats that we sell through our e-commerce: packages of 100, 200 and 500 grams, boxes of 15 sachets of 20 grams. Thanks to our online store, we are present in the market all over Europe, â€concluded Martina Aceto.