What is the name of your organization?
Freshpack Technologies.
What is the name of your solution?
Freshpack Box
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Freshpack Technologies offers an eco-friendly, electricity-free solution that extends the shelf life of vegetables, boosting vendor income
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Our solution team is headquartered in Morogoro, Tanzania.
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
TZA
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
We are solving the problem of post-harvest loss in small-scale vegetable farming, a challenge affecting millions of vendors in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania. Every day, vendors like Mama Neema, a mother of three, face significant food spoilage due to lack of refrigeration and harsh climate conditions, resulting in up to 40% vegetable loss. This leads to an annual income loss of €10 million for small-scale vendors, with over 650,000 women in Tanzania alone facing this issue.
Our solution, the Freshpack Box, tackles this problem by providing a cost-effective, electricity-free preservation tool that extends the shelf life of vegetables up to three times without needing refrigeration. By doing so, we help reduce food waste, improve vendor income, and strengthen local economies. Globally, the problem of post-harvest loss is even more extensive, with over 1.3 billion tons of food wasted annually, contributing to food insecurity and economic instability in developing regions.
What is your solution?
Our solution is the Freshpack Box, a sustainable, electricity-free preservation tool designed to extend the shelf life of perishable goods, specifically vegetables, for small-scale vendors. Using smart fabric technology, the box mimics human skin to regulate temperature, keeping it 6% lower than the surrounding environment. This technology significantly slows down the spoilage process, allowing vendors to preserve vegetables for up to three times longer without relying on refrigeration or ice.
The Freshpack Box is affordable, portable, and easy to use, making it an ideal solution for small-scale vendors who face the challenge of food spoilage due to limited access to power and proper storage. By reducing post-harvest loss, our solution helps vendors increase their income and reduce waste. With plans to scale across East Africa, we aim to reach over 17,000 vendors in the next three years, creating significant economic impact and addressing food security issues
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves small-scale vegetable vendors, particularly women in East Africa, who make up a significant portion of the agricultural economy in countries like Tanzania. These vendors are currently underserved due to limited access to affordable and effective preservation tools, resulting in high post-harvest loss (up to 40%) and significant income loss. Many vendors lack access to electricity, making refrigeration and cooling impossible.
The Freshpack Box directly addresses their needs by providing an affordable, electricity-free solution that extends the shelf life of vegetables, helping vendors reduce food spoilage and increase their income. With the ability to preserve vegetables for up to three times longer, the solution will enable them to sell fresh produce over a longer period, improving sales and reducing waste. By empowering women and improving their financial stability, this solution will enhance their overall economic resilience, contributing to greater food security and economic growth in the region.