Grades: No.1|Orchard Run
Packs: Single Layer|Tray Pack|Foam|Paper|Bulk
Cartons: 4kg/8.8#|8kg/17.6#|10kg/22#|18kg/40#
Bags(In Cups): 1.36kg/3#|2.27kg/5#
Bins: 182kg/400#
Store: Refrigerated|Optimum Temperature +1C/33F

Remarks: There are “light” and “dark” skinned varieties of apple pears. Light varieties have more flavor and a thinner skin; dark varieties are generally less desirable, but hold up much better on display. They break down quickly once their protective wrapping is removed; which serves the dual purpose of preventing the skins from discoloring and rubbing against each other.

Displaying: Always dummy displays, shrink will be brutal otherwise. The protective wrapping should only be removed from the top layers or displayed single layer in trays (dummied underneath). Handle gently and turn fruit sideways to prevent stem punctures. Sampling will increase sales. Cull soft, bruised fruit, bag up and sell at a discount or use for samples. Throw out decayed fruit.

Receiving: If available, check the Lot Number, Grower Number and Packing Date on the boxes. Open boxes and inspect the fruit. Stems should be green or brown, not black or shrivelled. Look for bruises, decay and mold. Firmly press your thumb against the surface for excessive softness. Reject soft fruit and shipments in general with an accumulation of more than 10% defects.
​
​#20thcenturyapplepears #apple #applepears #asianpears # fresh #fruit #nashipears #pears #produceclerk #ripe, #shinsekipears #sweet #theproduceclerkshandbook #yapears

Grades: No U.S. or International
Packs: Single-Layer/Foam Sleeve/Paper Wrapper
Weights: Sold by Count|4kg/8.8#|8kg/17#
Store: Unrefrigerated|Optimum Temperature +10C/50F

Remarks: Cherimoya aka Custard Apple are very popular in tropical climates. Do not list unless you have sufficient ethnic shoppers to purchase this fruit (very expensive and shrink can be horrendous). Cherimoya are delicious although the texture may take some getting used to if you have not eaten this fruit before. Their taste could be compared to a green grape, pineapple flavor and there are a few inedible seeds inside.

Displaying: Do not overstock, cherimoya are very fragile, special care must be taken. Display at room-temperature, refrigerating will chill and blacken the fruit like bananas. They turn light green to yellow when ripe and feel similar to a ripe bartlett pear when they are ready to eat. Display single layer in their cups (foam sleeves) to prevent unnecessary bruising and handling. Placing fruit onto a tray and overwrapping using a hot wrap machine is also a good idea. Pull down at close.

Receiving: Do not over order. Fruit should have a slight softness when you press your thumb lightly against the flesh; look bright and robust. A little bit of black spotting is okay as long as it is not due to being chilled by the truck reefer. Pulp the temperature to be sure. Ripe fruit should be rejected if it cannot be sold immediately because it can spoil in a single day. 

​#cherimoya #custardapple #displayingcherimoya #produceclerk #theproduceclerkshandbook

​Adding suggestive words to your retail signage like "supersweet" or "fresh picked" will increase your sales significantly. The important thing to remember is not to use the words loosely if they aren't true.

Try to be inventive and not use the same description on every sign. Customers will often take your use of descriptive words quite literally. I can't count the number of times I have been asked for those "supersweet" plums, or "super juicy" oranges.

The use of descriptive words is especially helpful when you are overstocked or pushing a particular fruit or vegetable. "In Store Special", "Reduced" or "We Recommend This Item" are three more great captions to add to your retail signs.

This also stops many shoppers from taking up your busy time asking if the nectarines are good today, or if the potatoes are "new crop". I have made a list of some good descriptive captions below.

Sweet
Supersweet
Incredibly Sweet
Crunchy n' Sweet
Fantastic
You Will Love These
We Recommend This Item
Really Juicy
Special
Manager's Special
In Store Special
Reduced
Fresh
Fresh Picked
New Crop
Fresh Dug
Pesticide Free
Certified Organic

You get the idea. Listen to your customers while they are chatting among themselves for positive and negative comments. The best ideas sometimes come from paying attention to off the cuff comments made by customers. If you need some information on a particular commodity pick up the phone and call the grower listed on the side of the box. Indentify yourself and ask to speak to a sales rep.

#descriptivesignage # produceclerk #retailsignage #retailtips #theproduceclerkshandbook

​Grades: No.1|No.2|Domestic|Orchard Run
Sizes: 8|8.5|9|9.5|10|10.5|11|11.5|12
Cartons: 2.5kg/5.5#|5kg/11#|9kg/20#
Bags: Random Weight|1#|1.5#|2#|1kg/2.2#
Clamshells: 1#|2#|1.82kg/4#
Store: Refrigerated|Optimum Temperature +1C/33F

​Remarks: During summer months cherries are a big part of your sales. Highly perishable, it is important that proper rotation is always followed.

Displaying: Retailing clamshells minimizes shrink, they can be stacked several layers high without impact (dummy displays during slow times). Displaying fruit in refrigerated counters helps too, although condensation can build up inside the container and slow sales. Bagged fruit should be stacked no more than two layers high, widen out displays instead during peak hours to maximize sales. Offering samples is expensive. Beat up, poor looking fruit should be discounted and sold quickly. Cull bad cherries from bags and clamshells and throw them out.

Receiving: If available, check the Lot and Grower Number and Packing Date on the boxes. Fruit should be firm, have green stems (dry, brown or loose stems are signs of age) and a nice sheen. Inspect for splits, cracks, mold and brown rot. Condensation means the fruit is not fresh or been sitting out. Cherries stored in front of walk-in cooler fans can become chilled and soft. Reject cherries with an accumulation of more than 10% defects.

​#bingcherries #buyingcherries #cherries #displayingcherries #lapinscherries #produceclerk #retailingcherries #theproduceclerkshandbook

My name is Rick Chong and I have been in the produce business for over 30 years. The most difficult department to manage in a supermarket has always been the Produce department.

The perishable nature of produce, shoppers squeezing the tomatoes, chilled grapes, over-ripe bananas, bruised apples and rude customers are just a few of the problems that will contribute to making your life "Hell" at times. Believe me when I say "I understand" and hopefully I will make your life a lot easier by sharing my product knowledge and experiences with you.

I will tell you the best ways to maintain your produce displays and keep shrink to a minimum, receiving tips, storage techniques, differences in quality, some of the best places and countries to buy your produce.

I started out as a produce buyer, loading trucks, boat and air containers out of the U.S. & Canada, and as far away as China, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Holland, Brazil, Haiti and many other countries around the world.

My experiences include Picker, Forklift Operator, Truck Driver, Produce Buyer, Field Inspector, National Produce Manager, National Foodservice Produce Manager, Grower, Shipper, Packer, Sales Manager and finally Entrepreneur.

Ask all your produce related questions here and please leave your comments on any of my posts and articles on this site.

I have also put together a Produce Clerk Handbook, perfect to carry around in your pocket at work. Digital and Print copies will be available to download at Amazon.com soon.

Welcome and thanks for visiting my site!

... Rick Chong

#producebook #producebuying #produceclerk #producedisplays #produceguide #producequestions #producestocking #producetips #theproduceclerkshandbook