What is the value of a strawberry? Not the price at a grocery store or the market rate, but the real value of a strawberry? They make our children smile as they float in morning cereal, add a touch of sweetness to wedding photos next to the chocolate fondue, and blend seamlessly into tropical smoothies, providing a 20-ounce escape to paradise. In whatever form they appear, strawberries quietly enhance our lives during some of our most cherished moments. Pausing to appreciate this reveals the true value of something as simple as a strawberry and how deeply it has become embedded in our daily lives.

However, the journey of a strawberry from the field to the produce stand is far from simple. On a global scale, farmers are tasked with doing more with less—dealing with increased input costs, complying with local and federal regulations, and ensuring the health and safety of their communities. They must accomplish all this while also striving to earn a sustainable living and address North America’s 350-million-pound annual plastic waste problem.

Healthy and nutritious crops, including strawberries, are becoming ever more critical as malnutrition worsens, particularly with growing economic disparities making access to nutritious food increasingly challenging. Rising food prices, especially for healthy options, exacerbate this trend, making it harder for low-income families to afford a balanced diet. In the U.S., this challenge is compounded by shrinking farmland due to urban sprawl, even as the population—and therefore food demand—continues to grow.

Farmers face increasing pressure to deliver higher crop yields while contending with rising input costs that challenge their profitability. The prices of essential inputs like fertilizer, seeds, and labor have steadily climbed, driven by global supply chain disruptions, inflation, and environmental regulations. Despite these challenges, farmers are leveraging advanced technologies and innovative practices to boost efficiency and productivity. However, the narrow margins created by escalating costs make it increasingly difficult for farmers to turn a profit, putting added stress on the agricultural sector.

Now, as you enjoy that tropical smoothie, consider the advances in agricultural technology and practices that allow farmers to increase yields and keep strawberries affordable and stocked on grocery store shelves. These efforts include precision farming, the use of genetically modified crops, and sustainable farming practices that maximize limited resources.

California, which grows 91% of the strawberries consumed in the U.S., along with Mexico, which supplies the balance, ensures that strawberries are available year-round. These strawberries are grown on “high-beds” that are meticulously prepared, fertilized for strong crops, and fumigated for pest resistance. Mulch film is laid on top of these high-beds to regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, allow helpful sunlight in, block harmful UV rays, and suppress weeds that compete for nutrients.

CNG’s Solar Shrink® mulch film meets every need a strawberry grower has while also offering new solutions to old problems. This high-performance mulch film shrinks tightly around the soil when exposed to sunlight, creating a secure barrier that conserves moisture, reduces weed growth, and enhances soil temperature. This tight fit minimizes the need for mechanical fastening, leading to labor savings and improved crop growth conditions.

Moreover, Solar Shrink® is designed with UV stability and durability, ensuring it withstands harsh weather conditions throughout the growing season. Its eco-friendly composition allows for easier recycling compared to traditional mulch films, contributing to reduced plastic waste in agriculture. By improving crop yields and promoting sustainable farming practices, Solar Shrink® mulch film is an effective solution for modern growers seeking to optimize their operations while minimizing environmental impact.

In California, the Department of Pesticide Regulation enforces strict rules regarding the use of fumigants and pesticides, requiring specific distances from roadways, dwellings, and schools. By using CNG’s Solar Shrink® TIF (Totally Impermeable Film), growers can comply with regulations while growing 60% closer to these areas, thanks to the “60% Buffer Zone Credit” provided by the California DPR and the U.S. EPA. With the highest fumigant suppression efficacy in the industry, Solar Shrink® TIF allows growers to utilize more precious land than is possible with standard plastic mulches.

With Solar Shrink® playing a critical role in delivering ripe, nutritious strawberries to grocery stores year-round, it becomes clear that the value of a strawberry goes far beyond its price tag. The strawberry and all its supporting elements, including innovative materials like CNG’s Solar Shrink®, are indeed invaluable. Through these engineered materials, CNG directly enhances lives—benefiting farmers, retailers, children, and newlyweds each day.

Solutions Materialized. Life Enhanced.