By now, most people are familiar with modified atmosphere packaging and what its purpose is. To put it simply, it is vital for extending food shelf life and in our case, reducing spoilage of items such as fruit and vegetables. Using MAP products enables longer storage, longer distribution distances, minimizes preservatives, maintains product quality (color/texture), minimizes shrinkage and reduces food waste. 

PEAKfresh products have been around since the early 90’s. Using proprietary mineral technology embedded in LDPE film, PEAKfresh pallet covers, box liners and sheets, protect fruit, vegetables, and flowers from decay and dehydration during long shipping and storage periods by removing damaging gases.  Additionally, PEAKfresh products have an anti-fog treatment that removes condensation, stopping the growth of mold and bacteria while keeping humidity levels high. This is especially important for surviving long hours in refrigeration and breaks in the cold chain that may occur during transit. 

Berries are extremely delicate and have three biological weaknesses that threaten their survival. Firstly, they breathe faster than almost any other fruit which speeds up ripening and provides a warm, humid environment that mold is attracted to. In addition, they have high surface area that traps moisture, and mold can spore in hard-to-reach crevices of the berries. Thirdly, in contrast to most fruits who have a waxy “cuticle” layer that acts a waterproof shield, berries have very thin or non-existent “cuticles”, making it extremely easy for mold roots to pierce the surface. For these reasons, berries must be handled in the best way possible, and it becomes apparent that investing in MAP products is not only worth it but in your best interest. 

At PEAKfresh USA our job is to deliver a reliable product but even more importantly, to educate our customers on how to use it properly in order to get the maximum effectiveness. We work closely with clients to ensure they are packing, storing and shipping their berries using optimal methods and temperatures to get the best results possible and to avoid rejections. We strive to be adaptive to our berry clients’ needs by manufacturing and shipping in a timely manner and doing everything possible to keep costs down. Our products are affordable, accessible and easy to use with no extra machinery or manpower. 

For the berry industry, we take pride in offering the best unsealed pallet covers for extending shelf life. Our pallet covers can be applied by a single person and easily removed for inspection or partial unloading when a skid arrives at a warehouse or distribution center, and then easily re-covered to protect the remainder of the load until it is needed. Stock pallet covers are available at all times for 73-inch, 79-inch and 88-inch high pallets, both vented and non-vented. Custom sizes can be made to order, and all pallet covers have the capability to be branded with your logo. 

As the world has become more eco-conscious, so have we. All PEAKfresh USA products are Reusable, Recyclable (No. 4), BPA-free and OMRI Listed for Organic Use. We have taken this one step further by also offering an optional additive that enhances landfill biodegradation. This additive allows our products to degrade at a significantly quicker rate if they end up in biologically active landfills. 

If you’re on the fence about MAP products, remember that MAP packaging addresses multiple challenges across the food supply chain. 

• Extended Shelf Life – increases shelf life by two to three times more than traditional packaging. For example, fresh strawberries can last up to 14 days or more in MAP versus just 4–5 days in standard conditions. 

• Preserved Quality & Appeal - your delicate berries will be protected from distortion and will maintain their texture, color, quality and weight. 

• Wider Market Reach - by increasing your berries longevity, you have the ability to ship greater distances geographically.

• Reduced Preservatives – MAP technology allows for cleaner labels by reducing or eliminating the need for artificial chemical additives to prevent spoilage. 

We encourage you to reach out for more information and will provide samples for testing. Information is available at www.peakfreshusa.com and requests can be made via email to [email protected] or by calling (949) 598-9545.