Monsanto, Dole Team Up On New Veggie Products

By Growing Produce Staff|June 23, 2009

Monsanto Company announced today it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., to develop new products that will enhance consumer vegetable choices.

The five-year collaboration will focus on broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and spinach. Plant breeding will be used to improve the nutrition, flavor, color, texture, taste, and aroma of these vegetables. Any new products realized from this collaboration could be commercialized by Dole in North America.

“The consumer wins because Dole’s market knowledge combined with our research and development capabilities will help bring new healthy and flavorful products to consumers,” said David Stark, vice president of consumer traits at Monsanto. “We are very excited and pleased to bring this focus to our business via this collaboration with Dole and its strong brand.”

“Dole prides itself on innovation and bringing consumers high quality, nutritious, and great-tasting products,” said Roger Billingsley, senior vice president of research & development for Dole Fresh Vegetables. “We are looking forward to collaborating closely with Monsanto to do just that.”