upermarket Chain Asda has announced that it will store 50,000 Golden Delicious apples within caves in the Italian Alps in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The undertaking, a world-first for a retailer, will be carried out in conjunction with Melinda, the Italian supplier of apples.It aims to save 60% of electricity needed to store the same number of apples in a refrigerated warehouse; the project is intended also to reduce water consumption, land use, and C02 emissions.
The cave space in Val di Non, in the Trentino region of the north of Italy, is located about 800 metres into the mountain. Each of the five storage spaces is around 144 by 60 metres – close to the size of two Boeing 747 airplanes.
"This is a really exciting project which we’ve been working on for over two years," said IPL category manager Martin Smith. "The first time I visited the mountain site it was a completely unique and unforgettable experience, and it’s really exciting to know that our shoppers have the chance to enjoy apples with such an innovative story."
The operation is due for completion in 2019.
A Golden Delicious is a large, yellowish-green skinned cultivar and very sweet in taste. It is prone to bruising and shrivelling, so it needs careful handling and storage. It is a favourite for salads, apple sauce, and apple butter.
