The Rise of Plastic in Fresh Produce

About this episode

The episode explores the history and impact of plastic on fresh produce and the food industry.

What is plastic, and how did a shortage of billiard balls accidentally give birth to the material that would feed the modern world? Why did a Belgian chemist rummaging through coal tar waste end up transforming the way humanity eats? And how does the unlikely journey from Victorian ivory substitutes to the clamshell of strawberries on your kitchen counter open a window onto the great forces of industrial history; from total war to the supermarket revolution? Join John and Patrick as they tell the extraordinary story of plastic's conquest of fresh produce, and the civilization it quietly built around us, in an age that made abundance the new normal... ---------- In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh. The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here ! ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more…

People in this episode

Hosts: John, Patrick

Topics covered

• history of plastic
• impact on food
• industrial history
• fresh produce
• supply chain
• food culture

Keywords

• plastic
• fresh produce
• industrial history
• food supply
• billiard balls
• strawberries
• supermarket revolution

Sponsors

J&K Fresh

Mentioned in this episode

Products: billiard balls, plastic, strawberries

Places: Belgium, Victorian

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