Maximising Sunripe’s value: creating value-added products from surplus capsicum, zucchini and tomatoes

The Challenge 

Australia’s agricultural sector generates significant waste due to surplus or imperfect produce that fails to meet market standards (FIAL, 2021). This waste encompasses produce that is damaged during harvesting, excess quantities that surpass market demand, and items deemed aesthetically unappealing for retail. While some waste is used for animal feed or composting, most ends up in landfill.  In response to this challenge, Sunripe has identified that an opportunity exists to develop a range of value-added products to utilise surplus first-grade and second-grade vegetables, including capsicum, zucchini and gourmet tomatoes, which would otherwise be wasted. 

Our Plan  

The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI), in collaboration with Sunripe and End Food Waste CRC aims to directly build upon the Sunripe Stage 1 EFW CRC Project Snack Tomatoes New Product Development Through Eco-Co-Design (2024), which assisted in the development of value-added products using snacking tomatoes (Roma and mini cherry), and supported pre-commercialisation activities to generate further concept samples. 

The current project has two areas of research:  

• Part A will commence with pre-commercialisation activities to support and progress Stage 1 products (relish and semi-dried tomatoes).  
• Part B will focus on utilising proven consumer-led product development methodology to develop value-added products from surplus capsicums, zucchinis and gourmet tomatoes.  

This project offers a solution to enable Sunripe to diversify their portfolio and launch into new market channels by meeting specific customer and consumer needs. 

References 

FIAL, 2021. The National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study – Final Report.