CORAL GABLES, FL - Value-added is a chief competitor in the grocery store, and the produce aisle is no exception. Buyers may soon have access to a wider variety of value-added offerings, as Mann Packing Co. has added a new fresh-cut fruit area to its newly launched facility in Gonzales, California. With this addition, the Del Monte Fresh Produce subsidiary plans to grow its fresh-cut fruit and organic fresh-cut fruit business.

“As a trusted Fresh Del Monte brand, we are excited to now be processing our fresh-cut fruit in a brand new, state-of-the-art plant,” said Parker Javid, Vice President of Sales at Mann Packing. “Our team is always working to find new and innovative solutions to meet the needs of our consumers and we are excited to offer our customers greater freshness and efficiencies by combining both fresh-cut fruit and vegetables on one truck and in a direct shipment from our plant.”

Separate from the Value Added Vegetable part of the Gonzalez Plant, the Fresh-Cut Fruit area will allow for added retail convenience, as fruit will be cut to order, according to a press release. This will reduce the need for inventorying and allows for deliveries to be made directly from the Gonzalez plant. This new area is especially unique as it features many vertically integrated products such as pineapples, melons, and grapes.

The Gonzales facility also has state-of-the-art sanitation and cleaning protocols, allowing for a high focus on food safety for cut fruit. Beyond face masks, hair nets, and constant hand sanitation, the new facility has separate processing and raw material areas.

Additionally, the facility boasts a 260-foot-tall wind turbine to help Mann Packing continue its mission of sustainable processing. Wash water from the facility will also be reclaimed into industrial waste systems for use on local golf courses and city landscaping.

Sounds like this facility packs a lot of power in one punch! To see how the news shifts our industry’s operations, keep reading us here at ANUK.

Mann Packing Co.