Yumbrella, an organic washable fruit coating, debuts

Startchy, Inc recently announced the U.S. launch of Yumbrella, its organic coating for the apple industry.

Yumbrella, which the company is marketing as the first washable coating for the U.S. fruit and vegetable industry, is USDA, Canada and EU certified organic and made with common food ingredients, according to a news release from the company. In addition to years of research and development, Yumbrella completed commercial testing over recent months with Domex Superfresh Growers and various national retailers in advance of their market rollout.

Andy Tudor of AT Ag Consulting and Consultant/Director of Business Development for Yumbrella said that “the produce industry has no shortage of fruit and vegetable coatings, but it has long been lacking an affordable and customizable organic solution.

“Most importantly this product meets the needs of everyone in the supply chain, including the grower, while still offering consumers a product that can easily be washed off with water, unlike wax or other coating chemicals that interfere with taste,” Tudor said in the news release.

The use of common food ingredients and a lack of expensive licensing fees allows Yumbrella to meet the demands of large and small growers alike requiring no expensive equipment or application protocols, according to the news release.

“This product has always offered unique market potential because it set out to put the grower first, with benefits outweighing its cost and the fact that it is a drop-in replacement for existing coating infrastructure,” Seth Shumate, CEO of Yumbrella said in a news release. “Coated fruit lasts longer at the packhouse, at retail, and at home which makes for a better eating experience.”

Yumbrella also offers adaptable recipes including a natural finish for organic application, and an attractive high-gloss recipe for conventional apples which are traditionally coated with wax, according to the news release.

“We’ve used and tested a variety of coatings over the years, but none that have started by saying how it helps growers reduce cost and warehouse loss,” Domex Superfresh Growers CEO Robert Kershaw said in the news release. “The Yumbrella team’s commitment to the entire supply chain – in addition to its global mission – actually makes this a more sustainable product for everyone involved and we are already seeing the bigger opportunity.”

Yumbrella is currently being tested on a variety of additional commodities, including avocados and citrus. To learn more or schedule a meeting, call Andy at 509-731-6160 or visit www.yumbrella.com