Fresh Del Monte harvests melon must-haves amidst peak produce season
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors and marketers of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, is currently harvesting a variety of melons including cantaloupe, honeydew, specialty Harper and Tara melons and watermelon just in time for prime melon season. Once harvested, the produce giant ships the melons using its six recently purchased energy-efficient container vessels, which will help streamline delivery amid the global supply chain issues.
“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 – Product Management (North America), Fresh Del Monte. “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 continues to invest significant resources in research and development to expand the melon category and continuously offer products that meet consumer’s evolving needs. Since melons are grown in temperate locations and have a relatively short growing cycle, the brand can provide North American customers with not only in-season melons supplies, but year-round. To deliver these melons to both retailers and consumers in a timely manner, Fresh Del Monte has purchased six energy-efficient container vessels, which have offered a solution amidst supply chain issues. Used to help transport melons amongst other produce, the container vessels depart from ports in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala to help secure consistent service to customers and provide delivery to retailers at four ports in Manatee, Gloucester, Galveston and Hueneme across the United States. Given the perishable nature of fresh fruits and vegetables, each container vessel is air-cooled to maintain the cargo at specified temperatures, traveling in reefer mode with multiple temperature variants from -25C to 40C.
Grown with consumers’ needs in mind, Fresh Del Monte’s melons offer a variety of health benefits, tastes and flavors to please any palate. Each melon variety offers significant nutrients, including high amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. Melons can be identified by their rich golden outer shell and juicy inner orange flesh, which also provide a high source of fiber, protein and carotene. The melons’ higher Brix content, which includes sugars, vitamins, minerals, proteins and other solids, creates an extra sweet flavor for a more delightful tasting cantaloupe. Fresh Del Monte’s melons are also sweeter than conventional cantaloupes, making them the perfect addition to any fresh fruit salad or fruit platter.
Fresh Del Monte melon varieties are available at select retailers nationwide. As with all other Fresh Del Monte products, melons follow sustainable practices for planting, harvesting and transporting. Fresh Del Monte has been a market leader in growing and shipping premium quality fresh produce for several decades and a recognized authority in the fruit industry. For more information on Del Monte® products, including recipes and promotions, please visit DelMonteFresh.com, or keep up with the brand on Instagram or YouTube @delmontefresh.
