DNO Produce eliminates traditional single-use plastics from school product line

July 8, 2025 (Columbus, OH) — Columbus-based fresh-cut produce manufacturing company, DNO Produce (DNO) BB #:134515, has eliminated traditional single-use plastics from its FRESHEALTH product line, integrating film packaging with enhanced biodegradation and compostable cups for its individually packaged fresh food products.

DNO Produce currently services school nutrition programs in 17 states, equipping thousands of K-12 students with fresh fruits and vegetables daily.

DNO Produce is a family-owned business dedicated to transforming how children consume fresh produce in the classroom, the cafeteria, and their communities. DNO’s FRESHEALTH product line offers individually packaged produce tailored for school nutrition programs, featuring innovative items like crinkle-cut cucumbers, watermelon radish coins, jicama sticks, and golden kiwi to make eating fruits and vegetables fun and accessible for kids. 

Due to staffing challenges many school districts continue to face, there is a large need for individually packaged, pre-portioned food. DNO’s prepared produce spares schools from having to sort, wash, pre-cut, and portion their offerings.

Previously, the majority of DNO’s pre-portioned products were distributed in plastic bags and cups. The switch in packaging will replace more than 945,000 pounds of traditional plastic currently used in DNO’s operations annually.

“Our transition to more sustainable packaging is the culmination of a multi-year effort to align our operations with our sustainability goals,” said Alex DiNovo, DNO’s President. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for individually packaged produce surged, and we saw an opportunity to innovate our packaging to reduce landfill volume for the generations that come after us. Our goal has always been to demonstrate the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship to the students we serve, and this new packaging is a major step forward.” 

“There is a real societal expectation that the food industries continue to integrate into their offerings innovative solutions to single-use packaging. DNO is in a unique leadership position among its peers in proactively testing and bringing to market sustainability solutions. This innovative packaging is another example of this family-owned company’s commitment to the community it serves, to the kids that it feeds, and to the industry that it represents,” said Dr. Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association.

Beginning in Fall 2025, 94.3% of DNO’s single-serve school offerings will transition from plastic bags to a more sustainable film that breaks down in landfill conditions within 10 years*, compared to traditional plastics, which can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. The remaining 5.7% of DNO’s single school servings, previously packaged in plastic cups, have been switched to compostable cups. The cups have maximum environmental benefit when diverted into compost waste streams.

In addition to the new packaging, DNO has previously implemented several other sustainability efforts to divert food waste. Edible food waste (such as overripe bananas) is donated to local food recovery nonprofits, and non-edible food waste (such as onion skins and fruit rinds) is given to local farms to feed animals.

The switch in packaging will not affect DNO’s product offerings, affect the shelf life of products, or raise DNO’s prices.

“We understand the financial pressures school nutrition programs face, having to provide nutritious meals at specific price points. At the same time, sustainability is one of DNO’s main pillars,” said DiNovo. “Our commitment to our planet and our schools is deeply rooted, and we will absorb the cost of this switch to make sure both commitments are honored. We always have and always will continue to prioritize quality, safety, variety, and price, ensuring our sustainable changes meet these high standards.”

FAQs and more information on the new packaging can be seen HERE.

*According to the ASTM D5511 standard, testing has shown that the film achieves approximately 100% degradation within 10 years (3,684 days).

ABOUT DNO PRODUCE

DNO Produce is a family-owned business based in Columbus, Ohio, dedicated to transforming how children consume fresh produce in the classroom, the cafeteria, and their communities. Founded in 1989, DNO Produce (DNO) has grown to provide fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables across seventeen states, employing over 220 people. DNO’s FRESHEALTH product line offers individually packaged produce tailored for school nutrition programs, food service operations, retail grab-n-go, and meal kits, featuring innovative items like crinkle-cut cucumbers, watermelon radish coins, jicama sticks, and golden kiwi to make eating fruits and vegetables fun and accessible for kids. 

DNO’s dedication to child nutrition extends beyond its products, providing robust educational resources like the SnackTime Explorers Program, leading efforts to pay off school meal debt during the pandemic, and providing donated volunteer labor to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s Summer Meal Program. Recognized as the International Fresh Produce Association Industry Advocate of the Year, DNO has championed child nutrition policies, engaging in grassroots advocacy and collaborating with elected officials to ensure greater access to fresh produce for school children.