What are the facilities and duties prformed by strawberry warehouses?

Receiving Dock:

- Equipped with conveyor belts or hydraulic platforms for efficient unloading of incoming strawberry containers.

Pre-cooling Rooms:

- High-tech chambers that rapidly cool harvested strawberries to remove field heat, preserving freshness.

Sorting and Grading Lines:

- Automated or semi-automated systems that inspect, sort, and grade strawberries by size, color, and quality.

Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage Rooms:

- Special chambers that maintain precise temperature, humidity, and gas levels to extend the shelf life of strawberries.

Packing and Packaging Equipment:

- Machinery for weighing, labeling, and packaging strawberries into various consumer-friendly formats.

Cold Storage Facilities:

- Refrigerated warehouses that provide optimal storage conditions for strawberries prior to distribution.

Shipping Facilities:

- Loading docks and transportation equipment to ensure efficient and quick dispatch of strawberry shipments.

Duties Performed in Strawberry Warehouses:

Receiving:

- Inspecting incoming strawberry deliveries for quality and adherence to standards.

Pre-cooling:

- Initiating the rapid cooling process to remove field heat and maintain freshness.

Sorting and Grading:

- Categorizing strawberries based on size, color, firmness, and other quality parameters.

Packing:

- Weighing, labeling, and packing strawberries into retail containers, punnets, clamshells, or bulk packaging.

Storage:

- Managing the storage conditions, including temperature, humidity, and gas levels, to extend shelf life and preserve quality.

Inventory Control:

- Tracking inventory levels, product movements, and expiration dates to ensure efficient warehouse management.

Order Fulfillment:

- Processing and fulfilling customer orders, ensuring accurate and timely dispatch.

Quality Control:

- Implementing quality checks throughout the warehouse processes to maintain the highest standards of strawberry quality.

Sanitation and Food Safety:

- Adhering to strict hygiene protocols and food safety regulations to ensure the wholesomeness of strawberries.

Maintenance:

- Regular upkeep and maintenance of warehouse facilities, equipment, and temperature-controlled environments.

Strawberry warehouses play a vital role in the post-harvest handling of strawberries, ensuring that these delicate and perishable fruits reach consumers in optimal condition, preserving their flavor, nutritional value, and visual appeal.