SEATTLE, WA - It does not take long in this industry to learn that Mother Nature plays a pivotal, uncontrollable role. While we may lack the ability to harness lightning and thunder like Thor, postharvest solutions from industry innovators like RipeLocker present the supply-side with a key advantage to overcome challenges that may impact supply. Recently, Sorbatto Fresh extended its normal selling season with the use of RipeLocker containers, and the supplier is ramping up its use of the technology this year.
“2021 was a very challenging season for us,” exclaimed Jeff Weijohn, Owner of Sorbatto Fresh, a grower in Yakima, Washington, who optimizes RipeLocker's technology. “The heat wave not only affected fruit quality, but also caused the market to collapse during the high production season. Using the RipeLockers allowed us to ride out the turbulent market by storing fruit that would have gone to waste. The fruit that came out of the RipeLocker’s not only retained its quality but was able to be sold at a much higher price two months later when the market recovered. Due to this extended season’s success, we are excited to commit to a week’s worth of process capacity in RipeLockers next year.”
An early adopter of the technology, Sorbatto Fresh plans to scale up to between 500 and 600 containers for next season, utilizing its leased containers to store its blueberries and potentially other perishables in the future. With RipeLocker containers, the supplier greatly extended its normal selling season to sustain and increase its margins, as RipeLocker’s patented postharvest technology allows growers and retailers to provide consumers with quality fruit for longer periods of time, as noted in a press release.
Based on the specific needs of each type of fresh produce or flower, RipeLocker tailors operating parameters, such as internal pressure, oxygen, and CO2 levels, to optimize the longevity and freshness of fresh produce and flowers. The system responds to changes in the storage or shipping environment and makes automatic, precise adjustments to prevent damage and reduce decay amongst products. The innovative, pallet-sized containers were developed so they can easily be deployed and used in the existing cold chain.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest solutions bringing critical new advancements to fresh produce.
