Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau & Cascades – Pioneering Sustainable Produce Packaging
March 21, 2025
Sustainable packaging isn't just a trend—it's what consumers expect.
Over half of Canadians (53%) have increased their purchases of sustainable products in recent years1 , and nearly three-quarters (73%) want brands to be more transparent about their environmental efforts2. This shift isn’t optional for businesses—especially as 92% of large companies were set to introduce ESG requirements for their suppliers in 20243.
For Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau, a Quebec-based leader in fruit distribution, these evolving expectations presented an opportunity to showcase their innovation and dedication to sustainability.
Key priorities
To stay ahead, Les Vergers Boileau needed to address key priorities:
Retailer
Requirements:
Frequent handling speeds ripening and increases food waste. Large grocery chains required packaging solutions that minimized direct contact while maintaining product visibility and balancing freshness and presentation.
Plastic-Free
Commitment:
Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau aspired to set a new industry standard by replacing hard-to-recycle packaging with solutions crafted from recycled materials, actively contributing to the circular economy.
Market
Differentiation:
Facing intense competition, the company sought visually distinctive packaging that complemented their unique product varieties, clearly distinguishing them on store shelves.
5 NielsenIQ 2023, Sustainability Syndicated Survey
6 NielsenIQ 2023, Sustainability Syndicated Survey
7 BDC, 2024
The Cascades Solution: Sustainable Innovation
Cascades introduced a groundbreaking solution: The closed basket for fresh produce. Crafted from sturdy, recycled corrugated cardboard , this 2L basket features strategic ventilation to maintain freshness. Its ergonomic design gently discourages unnecessary handling, preserving product integrity and reducing waste. Eye-catching and customizable, it provides an appealing, sustainable alternative to traditional hard-to-recycle packaging.
Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau immediately recognized the innovation’s potential and became one of its earliest adopters. Driven by their commitment to sustainability and excellence, they collaborated closely with Cascades to carefully tailor the basket’s size, closure system, and overall design—creating a packaging solution uniquely aligned with their values and market needs.
4 The percentage of recycled fibres varies depending on the packaging.
"We're proud to be the first to offer locally grown pears in major Quebec grocery banners, packaged in an innovative, Canadian-made solution that meets the highest standards of environmental responsibility."
Chloé Boileau
Sales and Marketing Director of Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau
Collaboration & Market Success
The success of this initiative was made possible by the strong relationship Cascades and Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau have developed over more than 25 years. This solid foundation enabled agile teamwork, supported by Cascades’ deep expertise and technical know-how.
"This initiative highlights the powerful impact of combining specialized industry knowledge with cutting-edge innovation. It allowed us to deliver a packaging solution that exceeded all expectations—functionally, aesthetically, and sustainably."
Simon Beauchamp
Senior Sales representative at Cascades
Retailers enthusiastically embraced the new packaging, reporting notable improvements in product freshness and ease of merchandising. The positive market reception reinforced Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau’s leadership reputation, further strengthening their competitive edge.
Based on observations from both Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau and Cascades, this initiative demonstrated how proactive collaboration can help tackle real-world merchandising challenges—particularly food waste and the growing impact of labour shortages in stores. With retailers facing increasing staffing constraints, developing packaging that simplifies shelf stocking and reduces handling has become essential. By aligning their packaging strategy with evolving retailer and consumer expectations, Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau proved that sustainability isn’t just good for the environment—it’s a wise business decision that also enhances operational efficiency.
Building on this success, Cascades and Vergers Jean-Yves Boileau continue to explore new ways to push the boundaries of sustainable produce packaging, ensuring they stay ahead of market trends and consumer demands.
Looking Ahead: Elevating Produce Packaging with Cascades
Cascades’ expertise in food packaging helps fresh produce producers turn sustainability into a competitive advantage.
Through close collaboration with growers and distributors, Cascades develops packaging solutions that:
Enhance product appeal
Improve shelf-life
and reduce waste
Clearly communicate
environmental responsibility
Ready to elevate your produce packaging strategy?
Contact Cascades today to discover how our innovative solutions can help you achieve your business and sustainability goals.