Vortex Fruit Basket
This article was originally written and submitted as part of a Canada 150 Project, the Innovation Storybook, to crowdsource stories of Canadian innovation with partners across Canada. The content has since been migrated to Ingenium’s Channel, a digital hub featuring curated content related to science, technology and innovation.
Vortex fruit basket developed by Canadian Phil Short. Source: Tom Alföldi; Ingenium 2013.0079
The Vortex Fruit Basket protects fruit and keeps it fresh.
The Vortex Fruit Basket may be familiar to consumers who have enjoyed fruit stored in this packaging. Phil Short, a Niagara fruit grower and distributor, developed the Vortex Fruit Basket, which protects tender fruit, like peaches, as it travels from orchard to home. For consumers, the recyclable container guards the fruit from moisture and handling, while giving a clear view of the product. For distributors and retailers, the Vortex Fruit Basket makes transport and display easier with its modular, stackable shape. The result is extended shelf life for fruit and greenhouse vegetables in the store and at home.
The Vortex Fruit Basket is now standard among Niagara fruit growers and is also gaining markets elsewhere in Canada.
The basket and lid protects tender fruits and vegetables well. Source: Phil Short
Phil Short markets his innovative baskets at a Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention. Source: Phil Short
Earlier baskets for packing and transporting fruits and vegetables were made of wood, Ontario, ca 1950. Source: Ingenium/CN Collection CN000072
Canadian National Railways fruit warehouse, Montreal, ca 1931. Source: Ingenium/CN Collection CN001549
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