Produce Storage Guide
Storage practices determine shrink, shelf life, and customer-facing quality. Use this guide to align your back-of-house storage with the species-appropriate ranges for tropical and conventional produce.
Temperature ranges (general guidance)
Tropical produce is sensitive to chilling injury. Use species-appropriate ranges rather than a blanket walk-in temperature.
- Plantains, mangoes, papayas, coconuts: 50–55°F
- Tropical roots (yuca, malanga, calabaza): 50–55°F
- Limes, dragon fruit, passion fruit: 45–50°F
- Ginger: 55°F
- Chayote and tropical peppers: 45–50°F
Humidity and ethylene management
High-humidity zones (85–95%) reduce moisture loss in roots and most tropical fruits. Separate ethylene producers (mangoes, papayas, passion fruit) from ethylene-sensitive items (leafy greens, herbs) to extend shelf life.
Rotation and inventory routines
First-in, first-out (FIFO) discipline is the single highest-impact behavior for reducing produce shrink. Date every case at receiving and audit weekly.
Request availability and wholesale pricing
Our sales desk responds within the business hour with current availability, pallet pricing, and weekly delivery timing across Florida and the continental U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I store all tropical produce in the same cooler?
- No — chilling injury is a real risk for several tropical SKUs below 50°F. Use species-appropriate zones when possible.
- Is ethylene management really necessary?
- Yes. Cross-contamination accelerates ripening and shortens shelf life significantly across mixed produce holds.
Related guides
- Buyer EducationProduce Handling GuideReceiving, recovery, and rotation behaviors drive most of the variation in produce shrink. This guide aligns your back-of-house handling with the practices that protect quality and margin.
- Buyer EducationProduce Merchandising GuideMerchandising converts good assortment into measurable category growth. Use this guide to plan set design, signage, cross-merchandising, and promotional execution.
- Buyer EducationTropical Produce Buying GuideA practical buying guide for wholesale produce category managers, foodservice operators, and re-distributors. Use this to plan assortments, evaluate suppliers, and tighten ordering routines.
Request Wholesale Pricing & Availability
Talk to our sales desk for current pallet pricing, weekly availability, and delivery scheduling.