Boskovich Family Farms Fair Earth Brands Sustainability Case Study

An irony exists that when you buy fresh organic produce that is healthy for the human body, it comes in packaging that is unhealthy for the environment and, ultimately, unhealthy for humans. Boskovich Farms Fair Earth brand has brought a solution to the market that bridges that contradiction in a big way.

What began in 1915 as a 7-acre plot in the San Fernando Valley of California, Boskovich Family Farms, a fifth-generation, family-operated business, has grown into a company with more than 18,000 growing acres throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico and has built a strong reputation as a grower, shipper, packer, and distributor of fresh produce. The fourth generation currently manages the fresh side of the business, with the fifth generation recently joining.

UN Goals:
3 – Good Health and Well Being
9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
13 – Climate Action
15 - Life on Land

Approximately five years ago, the company decided to expand their operations by upgrading their processing facility to cater to both food service and retail markets, supplying to major foodservice operators such as Burger King, El Pollo Loco, Rubio’s among others as well as providing fresh produce via its own brands, including Fresh Prep (processed value-added vegetables), B Organic (organic commodity and value added processed vegetables), and Fair Earth Farms (organic salad blends and kits in fully compostable packaging) to name a few.

Boskovich Farms has expanded its produce offerings to more than 150 items and operates over a 12-month growing season, providing fresh produce to consumers year round.

The company is committed to responsible farming and production, which is demonstrated through their six pillars of sustainability:

Transportation Efficiency
Chemical Reduction
Sustainable Packaging
Water Conservation
Waste Reductions & Management
Energy Efficiency This case study highlights Boskovich Farms’ innovation in sustainable packaging.

The challenge:
A Gap in Sustainable Packaging

It is inarguable that packaging plays a vital role in the transport, shelf-life and storage of fresh fruits and vegetables, but not all packaging is created equal. While packaging in the arena of salad kits is necessary to keep the ingredients fresh though the supply chain, on the shelf, and in the consumer’s refrigerator, it is typically neither recyclable nor compostable—meaning it will inevitably end up in the landfill.

While salad kits make meal prep easy and convenient, most salad kits come in single-use plastic packaging. Almost no salad kits on the market used compostable materials and, for those that did, the packaging that had a frosted appearance and did not allow the consumer to see the product inside, resulting in a product that was not appealing to consumers and, therefore, did not sell. Boskovich Farms aimed to address the issue of plastic waste in packaging and the need for more sustainable options and as well to create a product that consumers wanted to buy.

The solution:
A Unique Packaging Solution

To tackle this problem, Boskovich Farms collaborated with one of its European suppliers to develop a home compostable film for their salad kit line. The goal was to design a film that was not only clear and breathable (to provide adequate shelf life for their products) but a product that also created consumer appeal.

Four colorful bags of Fair Earth Farms organic salad kits: Baby Kale Caesar, Honey Coconut Cashew, Tex-Mex Chop, and Superfood Crunch.

The development involved a process of extensive testing (e.g., how long it took for the material to break down and in what conditions, etc.) as well as getting BPI certification, which also involved extensive testing and retesting for accuracy and took approximately two years. The packaging is made from a home compostable cellulose material that is uniquely designed to ensure the freshness of the products, the first of the company’s design goals. The clear film composts within 60 to 100 days, depending on environmental conditions, and with this development, the company knew it had something special.

Boskovich decided to go organic with its new packaging (based on the company’s research showing that consumers interested in organics also had a preference for sustainability and compostable packaging) to create a truly unique product. The company launched its Fair Earth brand, which features upscale, organic ingredients and restaurant-inspired recipes developed by Wolfgang Puck's chef. This approach not only differentiated their products from others on the store shelf but also aligned with consumer preferences for healthier and more sustainable options.

Communication was key to success, and part of the process was to educate consumers and retailers on the product. The first step was to help demystify the difference between recyclability, home compostability and biodegradability. Boskovich Farms decided to focus on retailers with substantial sustainability departments for its Fair Earth brand. It engaged with retailers on specific promotions, working with them to help get consumers to try the product. The company designed the packaging with bright colors to make the product stand out from others on the shelf.

To maximize the opportunity, the Boskovich Farms expanded the education to the packaging itself, making sure the consumer and retailer understood that the packaging is home compostable and that the product in that package is organic and fresh. According to Robert Spence, EVP of Sales and Marketing at Boskovich Farms, “The consumer isn't just paying for a package, they are paying for a better recipe with better ingredients at the same time, healthier and organic ingredients.”

The Takeaway: With Innovation, It Can be Done

Boskovich - Fresh Food Group logo By developing a unique compostable packaging solution, Boskovich Farms Fair Earth brand addressed a significant environmental issue and met consumer demands for sustainable products.

While the product is more profitable for the retailer in terms of pricing, “one of the biggest benefits that comes to mind is sustainability and social responsibility. That’s why we’re getting into it in terms of overall profitability.” says Spence.

Boskovich Farms’ commitment to innovation and sustainability has positioned them as a leader in the industry, attracting environmentally conscious consumers and setting a benchmark for other companies to follow.

Boskovich continues to look for way to be more sustainable from production and through the supply chain, including research on reusable pallets and advocacy for a stronger composting infrastructure in the U.S. The company demonstrates that with the right approach and dedication, companies can successfully navigate the challenges of sustainability and achieve long-term success.

Bringing Sustainable Packaging Innovation to a Category Void

Boskovich Family Farms
Sustainability Case Study

The challenge:
A Gap in Sustainable Packaging

The solution:
A Unique Packaging Solution

The Takeaway: With Innovation, It Can be Done

Related Resources

Bringing Sustainable Packaging Innovation to a Category Void

Boskovich Family Farms Sustainability Case Study

The challenge:A Gap in Sustainable Packaging

The solution: A Unique Packaging Solution

The Takeaway: With Innovation, It Can be Done

Related Resources

Boskovich Family Farms
Sustainability Case Study

The challenge:
A Gap in Sustainable Packaging

The solution:
A Unique Packaging Solution