Tony Mann, the co-founder of Export Fresh and Petite Bouche, is the largest distributer of micro herbs and edible flowers in Sydney. Commencing in 1999, together with Paul Bottell, the 2 ex-chefs started out in a humble beginning and has grown exponentially since.
In 2012, Export Fresh branched out to purchase an old farm that was transformed into a working farm producing hydroponically-grown leaves, edible flowers, and gourmet vegetable lines. This became the signature, Petite Bouche Range. Ever since then, Export Fresh continues to innovate and be market leaders in the specialty lines for many of Australia’s kitchens and elite chefs. The brand has become second to none for quality within the marketplace, largely due to the critical eye cast upon the product daily by the Export Fresh team.
Export Fresh proudly received the Sydney Markets Fresh Produce Award for Wholesaler of the Year for 2019. This award recognises innovation, quality, procedures and customer service in the Sydney Markets and hospitality Industry.
With great products, comes the responsibility for great packaging, and that’s why it took Tony over 5 years to find the right fit for Petite Bouche bag. Packaging that will keep the freshness of his products, exhibit its beauty, and be truly sustainable.
Accordingly, Tony has found TIPA, which produces a fully home compostable product verified by The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA), the peak industry body for manufacturers, converters and distributors of bioplastic products and materials throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Export Fresh acknowledges the importance of becoming a more sustainable business and eco-minded in its practices. It is essential to operate with a positive environmental and ethical impact, says Tony. “It’s up to all of us to work together as a team to get to this point of change because it will oonly happen if we do something about it.”
As Tony researched for the perfect packaging for his products, he learned of the different eco-friendly solutions that are out there, realizing the confusion there is around the terms –and the packaging solutions – biodegradable versus compostable. Where Biodegradable is a process that can take thousands of years to break down (like wood), composting breaks down between 3-6 months, when composted. A long-time fan of sustainable material innovation, TIPA was an obvious choice for Export Fresh’s Home compostable packaging.
“Single-use plastics will inevitably be phased out; we aim to have a plastic-free environment on our farms and in the marketplace”, Tony says, “Let’s get the product out there to achieve the goal – to have a cleaner planet.”
With TIPA on board, there is a new innovative way of thinking that Tony would like to see more of in our industries. TIPA’s home compostable bags are so easy to use, anyone can do it, he says. Home composting TIPA’s bags are the most efficient and effective solutions for Export Fresh and Petite Bouche. Simply place it in your home compost with other organic waste and it will degrade under compost conditions entirely, within up to 180 days.
Petite Bouche uses TIPA’s 302 60 mic open bag with handles which are made from highly transparent, lightweight, and durable single-ply home or commercially compostable film.
