“Personal-size” pineapples reduce waste and make tropical fruit history

Have you ever bought a whole pineapple and found yourself unable to eat it all? You aren’t the only one. Fortunately, Fresh Del Monte has unveiled a solution to reduce waste while serving tasty fruit.

The Florida-based fruit and vegetable grower released the Precious Honeyglow, a small pineapple weighing about 2 pounds. This innovation is excellent news for anyone who wants this tasty tropical fruit to themselves.

What does this pineapple product mean for consumers? Here’s what you need to know about the Precious Honeyglow.

Reduce Waste With the Precious Honeyglow Pineapple

Experts say Americans waste 30% and 40% of their food supply, sending much of it to landfills. You may have thrown away fruits and vegetables because they spoiled before you could finish them all.

Pineapples can be sizable in the grocery store and too much for one person to eat. Thanks to Fresh Del Monte, you can reduce waste with petite pineapples. 

Precious Honeyglow is one product in Fresh Del Monte’s line of pineapples. The specialized, smaller fruit grows in Costa Rica and matures for a few more days than the other pineapples. Therefore, each plant produces a sweeter and more radiant golden hue. Want a taste of this sweet treat? Fresh Del Monte sells Precious Honeyglow through Melissa’s Produce.

How do personal-size pineapples reduce food waste? The Precious Honeyglow and Mini Honeyglow are fresh fruits small enough for one or two people. These pineapples are smaller versions of the traditional Honeyglow option from Fresh Del Monte.

Fresh Del Monte Sustainability

Melissa Mackay — Fresh Del Monte’s Vice President of Marketing in North America — says the Precious Honeyglow gives customers a fresh and more sustainable option when eating pineapple.

"As the world's top producer of fresh pineapples, Del Monte offers a wide range of options to suit consumer preferences, whether it's a sweeter taste, sustainability benefits or a versatile range of sizes," Mackay said via press release. "Our new Precious Honeyglow delivers everything that people love about Del Monte Honeyglow pineapples, such as its extra sweet taste and distinct color, in a compact single-serving size."

The Precious Honeyglow and Mini Honeyglow pineapples bring everything you love about Del Monte pineapples in a compact package. You’ll get the same bright color and sweetness without as much waste.

The new pineapple product is part of Fresh Del Monte’s sustainability efforts to help growers and consumers. Environmental efforts cemented Fresh Del Monte’s spots in the 2022 and 2023 Humankind Rankings — a list of the top 100 companies based on how they impact food and water, health care, and digital services.

How Important Is Reducing Food Waste?

While discarding spoiled produce is commonplace, the environmental effects of wasted food are detrimental. Thrown-away food ends up in landfills and emits methane as it rots. Thrown-away food ends up in landfills and emits methane as it continues to rot. Methane (CH4) rises in the atmosphere and traps heat, thus contributing to global warming. Experts say eliminating food waste would remove up to 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Reducing waste with food is also important for parks and public places. Keeping these spaces clean is essential to physical and mental health and makes neighborhoods more attractive. Children or animals could find waste on the ground and mistake it for something they should eat. Experts say eating spoiled items could lead to food poisoning.

How do personal-size pineapples reduce waste and improve safety? You can eat an entire Precious Honeyglow and discard the peel. Research shows pineapple waste is biodegradable and bio-absorbent, and conversions have demonstrated less waste generation.

Spoiled food is a concern, but you should also consider its packaging. Plastic harms animals if they choke on it or it becomes stuck inside, threatening their lives. The world produces about 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, so recycling it and reducing food waste is critical for environmental health.

What Dishes Incorporate Precious Honeyglow Pineapples?

While smaller fruits are terrific for snacking, these five ideas show how personal-size pineapples can help reduce food waste.

Pizza

Pineapple on pizza is controversial, but if you like it, consider adding fresh pineapple to your next pie. If you want a sweet-and-savory mix, try a pineapple and pickle pizza to start a great debate.

Fruit Salad

Pineapple might not be the only leftover fruit in your fridge. If you have other produce close to expiring, make a fruit salad in a big bowl. Incorporate Precious Honeyglow pineapples with any fruit you like, such as berries, bananas, grapes, and apples. Who says you have to stop at fruit? Cinnamon, sugar, and mint leaves are excellent toppings for a healthy snack.

Ice Cream

If you have an undeniable sweet tooth, try pineapple-flavored ice cream. Mix fresh pineapple into your favorite store-bought ice cream, or try making pineapple ice cream from scratch! Fresh Del Monte’s pineapples make excellent ice cream, sorbet, and smoothie flavors.

Upside-Down Cake

Another pineapple-based dessert idea is an upside-down cake. This pastry is famous for its beautiful yellow pineapple rings with cherries in the middle. The cake is fluffy and tasty when warm, making it an excellent dessert for anyone’s pineapple cravings.

Salsa

Who says pineapple has to be for sweet treats? This fruit also makes a wonderful addition to salsa, providing a sweet-and-spicy kick and an adjustable spice level. Slice and dice a Precious Honeyglow and mix with beans, red onions, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and bell peppers. Add jalapeños if you want to take the heat up a notch.

Reduce Waste With Personal-Size Pineapples

Pineapples are a fan-favorite fruit because they’re sweet and easy to eat. However, they may be difficult to finish in one sitting and before they spoil. Fresh Del Monte’s Precious Honeyglow saves the day by showing how personal-size pineapples reduce food waste. Cut the fruit into a bowl or incorporate it into your next delicious recipe.