“Mariani Packing Co. Partners with Treasure8 to Revolutionize Dried Fruit and Vegetable Products with Innovative Dehydration Technology”
Mariani Packing Co., a family-owned business in its fourth generation known for producing dried fruits and vegetables, is set to adopt cutting-edge dehydration technology from San Francisco-based startup Treasure8 to reinvigorate and expand its product offerings. Founded in 2012, Treasure8 aims to capture and enhance the nutritional value of food, having licensed and refined a drying technology initially developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The company holds an exclusive license for USDA’s Sauna dehydration technology, which effectively removes moisture while preserving nutrients. This innovative system has been utilized and improved to upcycle wasted food, ensuring nutrient retention and ease of transport, storage, and use.
Treasure8 Co-CEO Derk Hendriksen stated that the collaboration with Mariani will bolster the innovation pipeline of the 115-year-old dried fruit company. It will also allow Treasure8 to optimize its technology to advance the dehydrated food sector. “What truly excites us is the synergy of our two platforms, which are nearly entirely complementary,” Hendriksen remarked. “We specialize in innovation, technology, and development, while Mariani excels in sourcing, manufacturing, and commercialization, meaning both parties possess unique strengths.”
Timothy Childs, the founder and co-CEO of Treasure8, noted that they had been engaging with several major companies regarding partnerships, and when the opportunity to work with Mariani arose, they acted swiftly. Despite Mariani’s long-standing presence in the industry, Childs emphasized its reputation for innovation and progressiveness. Mariani’s extensive experience has fostered strong relationships with distributors, retailers, and other consumer packaged goods companies worldwide. Furthermore, Mariani’s products frequently serve as ingredients in other offerings, providing Treasure8’s technology with another avenue to penetrate the market.
Treasure8 is currently focused on scaling up its technology and is prepared for immediate operational readiness, with its Sauna machines set to ramp up production. Both Childs and Hendriksen expressed confidence that partnering with a prominent company like Mariani is the optimal way for their technology to make a meaningful impact in creating nutritious, low-cost, and easily transportable food options. While Hendriksen did not disclose specific products that Treasure8 and Mariani would collaborate on, he mentioned that there are numerous opportunities ripe for exploration. “No pun intended, but we have been developing several low-hanging fruit opportunities for months, if not years, that will soon be brought to market,” he said. “There are also mid- and long-term opportunities on the horizon.”
The partnership also aligns with Treasure8’s mission to provide healthier food options globally. Mariani has ventured into the wellness sector, launching probiotic dried fruits in 2017 and offering fruit products without added sugars. Although Mariani currently lacks dehydrated vegetables in its product range, the rising popularity of such snacks presents a promising future opportunity. “With our fourth generation leading the family business and focusing on the health of future generations, we are thrilled to accelerate our innovation journey and embark on a new chapter with Treasure8, which will help us broaden our global platform for healthy living solutions,” stated Mark Mariani, Chairman of Mariani, in a written statement.
In addition to providing Mariani with technological and innovative advancements, Treasure8 is also focused on improving cost efficiencies as part of their partnership, according to Childs. “We are collaborating on projects that go beyond fruits and vegetables, and they have expressed a desire for us to help with cost savings,” he explained. “Our processes have actually enhanced food safety, and part of our agreement includes working together to achieve overall cost reductions and efficiencies while targeting a triple bottom line.”
Hendriksen and Childs indicated that this partnership is just the beginning, with more collaborations anticipated for Treasure8 in 2021, though they could not reveal details of ongoing negotiations. The company is relocating from its current headquarters in the Treasure Island area of San Francisco to suburban Vacaville, where Mariani’s corporate headquarters is situated. Treasure8 is also developing a third generation of its machines utilizing Sauna technology, but it is likely to maintain its B2B model by partnering with manufacturers rather than producing its own branded products. “Our strategy is not to sell equipment, but rather to collaborate with our strategic partners,” Childs concluded.
In light of this innovative partnership, consumers may soon see the introduction of new products that could include formulations akin to Citracal Maximum D3, further enhancing nutritional offerings in the market.
