Modern technology has had an incredible impact on our diets. Not so long ago, our diet choices were limited by what was in season and what could grow under local conditions. You could still find fruits and vegetables outside of these limitations, but only if they were frozen, pickled, or otherwise preserved. Asking for anything fresh out of season was simply a waste of time.
Starting in the 20th century, however, all that began to change. Thanks to advances in greenhouse technology, fruits and vegetables can grow in any season, and by planting and harvesting vegetable crops in areas of the world that experience plenty of warm sunshine and rain all year round, we can stock grocery stores across America with fresh produce no matter what the season is. Even groceries in the middle of the hot Arizona desert during the long months of summer can count on a consistent supply of water-loving fruits and vegetables.
However, getting fresh produce to market poses its own kind of challenge. Such products need to stay at cool temperatures to avoid spoilage, but truck and trailer interiors tend to experience heat spikes during the warmest parts of the day that go noticeably higher than the ambient temperature. Produce can be very sensitive to heat, including such products as:
- Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Apples
- Peaches
The classic solution to temperature-sensitive cargo is refrigeration, another modern innovation which plays a key role in getting various goods to places that would otherwise never see them. However, active temperature control can demand a high cost in energy and fuel, a major concern for any shipping company.
Depending on the weather conditions, the length of the run, and the sensitivity of the cargo, reefers may be your only viable solution. However, for runs with a little leeway, we at ProtekCargo offer passive temperature control alternatives. The SureTemp container blanket and thermal pallet cover can keep food products at a safe temperature even during the worst heat spikes and for a fraction of the cost of maintaining a reefer unit. Our products use advanced hollow fiber insulation and reflective aluminum surfaces to provide industrial-strength protection from excess heat and cold, protection which is more than sufficient for many types of cargo.
Thanks to modern technology, consumers have come to expect fresh fruits and vegetables regardless of where they live. And with the right kind of insulation, moving produce to market doesn’t have to be an expensive prospect.
