Unifresh will soon be supplying caterers and processors with cantaloupe and watermelon in a new departure for the Kent-based importer and has been granted a licence for the supply of Cripps Pink apples to the sector.
Sourced from suppliers in Spain and Italy, the GlobalGap and TNC accredited melons will be available from May, when Spanish Cantaloupe comes into season and will run until September. Watermelons will come on stream in June with first variety Crimson.
Unifresh MD Hannes Martin said: “This is an exciting new offering for Unifresh with more initiatives to come for the processing and catering market…. As with all Unifresh products, we guarantee supply, quality and, of course, price with the same fixed-price deals that are available across our grape and apple ranges.”
Unifresh can store the fruit at its Paddock Wood coldstore for delivery by the pallet or truckload.
Meanwhile, the importer has also been given the go- ahead by patent holder Star Fruits to source Cripps Pink apples from licensed distributors and supply them for the fresh-cut catering and processing market.
The approval means Unifresh will be able to supply the variety year round from selected authorised suppliers in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Italy, France, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa, and Uruguay.
“This is a vote of confidence in our ability to store and distribute the best fruit in the best possible condition,” said Martin. “More importantly, it means our clients have access to this top quality apple whenever they want it.”
