Fresh Del Monte to Harvest Melon Must-Haves Ahead of Peak Produce Season
Produce Leader to Ship Fresh Melons Using Six New Shipping Container Vessels, Better Navigating Supply Chain Issues
Coral Gables, FL (December 6, 2021) – Fresh Del Monte, one of North America’s leading marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, is two weeks away from 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 will ship the melons using six all-new energy efficient container vessels, which will ensure timely delivery and better navigate 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,” said Ana Cristina Fonseca, Vice President – Product Management (North America), Fresh Del Monte. “With melon season quickly approaching and supply chain shortages intensifying, Fresh Del Monte believes the use of our six additional container vessels will offer transportation solutions in a time of need. We look forward to using these vessels to not only meet rising product demand, but to provide consumers with the sweet, juicy and flavorful melons for consumption nationwide.”
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 is able to provide North American customers with not only in-season melons supplies, but year-round. In order to deliver these melons to both retailers and consumers in a timely manner, Fresh Del Monte has implemented six all-new 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 five ports 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 consumer 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 the amount of 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.
The implementation of the six container vessels has assisted Fresh Del Monte in speeding up shipping times, ensuring that customers receive the freshest products during these unprecedented times. 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 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.
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. 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.
ABOUT DEL MONTE FRESH PRODUCE N.A., INC.
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. is one of North America’s leading marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. markets its products in North America under the Del Monte® brand (as well as other brands), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness and reliability for over 125 years. Del Monte Fresh N.A., Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd.