Bulk handling of shipping fruits — trials encouraging in Tulare

Bulk bins are adaptable to transporting a wide range of shipping fruits from the field to the packing house. Much of the citrus industry's fruit handling has changed from field boxes to bulk bins. Pears and apples are being handled by this method for both fresh shipment and processing. Some other processing fruits, such as prunes and cling peaches are also being frequently handled in bins. Picking directly into bins allows better field supervision and control of the pickers, easier and faster field handling of fruit, and reduced container replacement costs over a period of years. Factors to be balanced against these advantages include the initial cost of conversion, investment in new equipment, disposal of existing materials, and interim system complications.