MIAMI, FL - Giving the melon category a generous uplift, Fresh Del Monte Produce is implementing new strategies to overcome supply chain challenges and provide high-quality melons year-round. As the supplier readies for prime melon season with its cantaloupe, honeydew, specialty Harper, and Tara melon harvest, it announced it is optimizing the supply chain by shipping melons using six recently purchased energy-efficient container vessels to help streamline delivery.
“At Fresh Del Monte, we will not let global supply chain issues stand in the way of delivering the freshest produce on the planet, and this is especially true from our North American ports,” said Ana Cristina Fonseca, Vice President of Product Management, North America. “With melon season underway and supply chain shortages intensifying, Fresh Del Monte believes the use of our six additional container vessels has been invaluable in offering transportation solutions during these unprecedented times. We want to ensure customers receive the freshest products despite global shipping backlogs. As many produce authorities and retailers struggle to secure shipping container vessels to reduce product shortages, Fresh Del Monte’s container vessels have offered a helping hand to not only Fresh Del Monte, but to their competitors seeking help amidst the crisis.”
Fresh Del Monte is continuously investing significant resources in research and development in an effort to expand the melon category, meet the evolving needs of consumers, and provide quality melons year-round.
To deliver these melons to retailers in a timely manner, the company has purchased six energy-efficient container vessels to provide a solution amidst the current pressures on the supply chain. The container vessels depart from the ports in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Guatemala to allow consistent service to the supplier’s customers, providing delivery to retailers at four ports in Manatee, Gloucester, Galveston, and Hueneme across the United States. Each container is air-cooled to maintain specific temperatures because of the perishable nature of fruits and vegetables.
Fresh Del Monte’s melons are grown with consumers’ needs in mind and offer a multitude of health benefits, tastes, and flavors. Similar to all other Fresh Del Monte products, the company’s melons follow sustainable practices for planting, harvesting, and transporting. These delicious melon varieties are already available at select retailers nationwide.
As more suppliers put new strategies in place to continue bringing fresh produce to retail shelves, keep an eye out for ANUK’s latest report.
