Flagler Global Logistics, operators of the recently opened South Florida Logistics Centre has received USDA approval for is cold chain treatment technology for fresh produce and other perishable items arriving at the facility at the port of Miami.
The company said the new technology allows for better management of the cold chain to extend produce shelf-life and quality, while the Miami-based entry point decreases the amount of time products are in transit.
According to industry reports, almost US$35bn of perishable foods are wasted annually, with nearly half of those losses due to temperature changes experienced in-transit between the grower and the retailer. Flagler said by exposing fruits and vegetables to a more uniform temperature, its treatment process stabilizes the cold chain integrity and improves fruit quality.
“This new technology is a game changer for exporters looking to bring their produce to supermarket shelves in the US,” said the company’s president and CEO Chris Scott. “With this cold chain infrastructure in place, our partners have a new gateway to the south east that allows them to get their product to market more quickly – adding at least a week or more to the product’s shelf-life. It’s a true competitive advantage, aiding our economy’s growth while saving exporters and grocers time and money.”
The South Florida Logistics Centre officially opened for business in October. Located next to Miami International Airport, the intermodal logistics complex offers cargo handling including multimodal transportation access, Foreign Trade Zone advantages and refrigerated cargo facilities. The logistics centre’s first building a 170,000ft2 facility which includes 60,000ft2 of refrigerated space, is now fully operational.
