Packaging

The Packaging Development Group works to keep the "fresh" in the fruits and vegetables that are harvested daily. By utilizing experts from around the globe, we are able to provide cost efficient and timely packaging solutions for our production operations as well as the needs of our customers.

As part of Del Monte's R&D and Agricultural Services department, our packaging group strives to ensure that the physical needs of our fruit are addressed in order to protect and maintain freshness of the product. Our packaging is designed for easy packing, rapid cooling and protection of the product from the rigors of transportation. A significant amount of Del Monte's products are grown in Central and South America and Asia Pacific and as such, travel to their global destinations in refrigerated ships. After arrival at our ports, the products are unloaded and transferred to Del Monte distribution centers or delivered direct to the customer by refrigerated transport. Our fresh cut fruit and vegetable products are also transported via refrigerated transport which requiries extraordinary attention to quality in both product and packaging to assure fresh arrivals.

With fresh fruits and vegetables, the challenge is to design secondary packaging (primarily recyclable corrugated) that will hold up to the rigors of transport and handling while protecting the fruit from bruising when exposed to moisture, shock and vibration.  To accomplish this goal, the professionals in our packaging development group work to design packaging and graphics, select the proper materials and also specify pallets and loading specifications. In our fresh cut operations, we are also able to utilize plastics that are not only sustainable (corn based PLA), but recyclable as well. This helps Del Monte meet the demands of delivering the freshest and most visually appealing product to each and every one of our retailers every day while also protecting the environment.