Product Handling
Proper handling is essential to strong fruit sales. At Sunwest, we’re not only an excellent source of quality fruit, but a valuable source of information about product handling.
California tree fruit handling:
Backroom Handling: Refrigerate fruit between 32° and
36° F (0° – 2.2° C).
Storing fruit between 36° and 50° F (2.2° – 10° C)
will kill the fruit flavor and aroma. Store with non-ethylene-producing
products such as strawberries and apples. Rotate your inventory – the
first fruit received should be the first to the shelf. Handle cartons
gently to avoid bruising.
Display: Build large, plentiful-looking
displays during the season’s peak, organized by fruit and type to make your
customers’ purchase
decisions easier. Include white and yellow peaches and nectarines
and a broad range of plums. People who like peaches, plums or nectarines
usually like more than one of these fruits; merchandise them together
to encourage greater sales. To help your customers select California peaches,
plums and nectarines, use consumer education materials from www.eatcaliforniafruit.com.