Erewhon Adopts New Frying Oil
Upscale grocer Erewhon has switched to Zero Acre Farms' Fera fruit oil for all hot bar frying across its 15 locations.
Erewhon, the Los Angeles-based luxury grocery chain, is changing its frying oil for its hot bar offerings. All 15 Erewhon locations will now use Zero Acre Farms' Organic Fera fruit oil for frying popular items like buffalo cauliflower and turmeric chicken tenders.
Zero Acre Farms produces Fera fruit oil as an alternative to commonly used seed oils such as soybean and canola. The company states the oil is pressed from a hybrid palm tree fruit that yields for approximately 25 years and requires about one-tenth of the land compared to typical frying oils. They also claim the oil has double the fry life of seed oils.
The switch was influenced by environmental factors. Zero Acre Farms emphasizes its commitment to deforestation-free sourcing and that the oil is Regenerative Organic Certified at the Gold level, indicating practices that prioritize soil health and climate-friendly methods. The company also notes Fera fruit oil is more cost-effective than the avocado oil previously used.
According to Jeff Nobbs, co-founder and CEO of Zero Acre Farms, Erewhon has received positive customer feedback regarding the taste and crispiness of the fried foods with the new oil. Erewhon will also provide QR codes in-store for customers to learn more about the oil's health and environmental benefits.