Mann Packing Co., a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. and one of the largest suppliers of packaged vegetables in North America, is adding a fresh-cut fruit area to its new facility in Gonzales, California. This new section of the facility will allow the Coral Gables, Florida-based company to grow its fresh-cut fruit and organic fresh-cut fruit business and provide a new space to help the brand continue to meet consumer needs.
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. This will allow for the elimination of inventorying and for deliveries to be made directly from the Gonzalez plant. This new area of the plant is especially unique as it uses many vertically integrated products such as pineapples, melons and grapes.
“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, VP 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.”
In addition, the Gonzales facility 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 also boasts a 260-foot-tall wind turbine to help Mann Packing continue its mission of sustainable processing. Wash water from the facility also will be reclaimed into industrial waste systems for use on local golf courses and city landscaping.
The Mann brand has been a symbol of produce innovation during the last 80 years. Now, as a part of Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., Mann Packing Co. Inc. will continue to provide shoppers with wholesome and innovative products.
For more information on Mann Packing, including where to find its products, visit veggiesmadeeasy.com.
