Production
To ensure the best quality in our products, a production disciplinary is applied in our farming system for proper integrated pest management, fertilization plans, pruning and irrigation.
Harvest
The time of harvest represents a fundamental moment in the production chain, because it characterizes the overall quality and shelf life of the product. That’s why the harvest is done early in the morning or late in the afternoon so that the product is at its lowest core temperature and away from direct sunlight. To reduce the risk of damage, harvest bags or plastic crates are used. Wood crates are instead avoided as they can host pathogens that will be transferred from one load to the other.
Post-harvest
The following post-harvest activities done at the cooperatives’ centers of FAV ensure to keep the products’ quality:
- Pre-cooling: Fruits and vegetables are pre-cooled to a temperature of 4-5°C and as close as possible to the time of harvest to delay the maturation, to avoid the development of parasites and to maintain the quality and nutritional value of products.
- Sorting and grading: Proper sorting and grading are done to ensure that the products delivered are intact, clean, free of damages and selected according to clients’ requests. The sorting machines available at the centers guarantee a quick and accurate sorting.
- Cooling: The products are stored under a controlled temperature to preserve their quality and shelf-life at the cooperatives’ centers.
- Controlled Atmosphere (CA): If requested the products can be stored in the pallets using the CA to reduce postharvest losses and extend the shelf life of the products during storage and/or shipment.
Packaging
The products are packed according to the clients’ needs:
- Pallets: for loose products
- Pre-packed: 250gr/500gr/1000gr (depending on the products)
Transportation
FAV can rely on its 4 refrigerated trucks to transport the products both after the harvest to the centers and from them to the delivery locations in order to keep the right temperature and avoid the perishability of fruits and vegetables.
Moreover, the good crates arrangement on the pallets, ensures absence of mechanical damage to the product by ensuring a good air circulation and stability of the crates.
Certifications
FAV has a group of members certified IPM (Integrated Pest Management) for the cherries and apricots. Moreover, the process for certification under Global Gap has started.
