Parkside Partners with Riverford to Advance Sustainable Root Vegetable Packaging

Parkside’s cutting-edge packaging technology is helping organic veg box provider Riverford take a significant step forward in its sustainable packaging journey for fresh produce.

The new packaging is crafted from a kerbside-recyclable, paper-based vertical form fill seal (VFFS) material and features advanced water-based coatings that deliver excellent moisture and grease resistance—keeping root vegetables fresh from farm to doorstep. Designed for durability, the material offers high tensile strength and resistance to tears and bursts, ensuring it performs reliably across the supply chain.

A standout feature of the new pack is its printed design, which mimics the natural look of kraft paper while maintaining a high-quality finish. Using Parkside’s state-of-the-art flexographic printing and reprographics technology, the packaging achieves a rustic, brand-friendly appearance with the sharp print quality only possible on coated surfaces.

This solution combines recyclability, durability, and enhanced supply chain efficiency. By shifting from pre-made 100gsm paper sacks to a 90gsm VFFS-compatible material, Riverford has not only reduced material use but also improved packing line performance—increasing speeds from 25 to 35 packs per minute and reducing energy consumption.

Staci Bye, Sales Account Manager at Parkside, said: “We’re delighted to support Riverford in their mission to enhance sustainability. Our technology offers a truly circular packaging solution – combining the rustic, natural look that Riverford customers love, with the performance and recyclability required by today’s supply chains. 

“Collaborating with Riverford has been a fantastic experience. Their dedication to sustainability aligns perfectly with our own values, and together we have created a pack that not only meets their operational needs but also advances the circular economy. This design has removed cost and complexity from production and has resulted in a pack that is as practical as it is beneficial for the environment.” 

Matt Mountfield, Head of Procurement at Riverford, said: “Working with Parkside on this project has been seamless from start to finish. Their technical knowledge and innovative approach enabled a brand-new paper-based design for our root vegetable packaging, suitable for automated form filling. The result is a design that perfectly meets our sustainability goals, improving efficiency and delivering the quality that our customers expect.”