Packing sweet cherries to reduce tmnsit injury

Modifications in the present “loose-pack” method of packing cherries show promise of improving the arrival condition of the fruit. Use of the recently developed “tight-fill pack” resulted in a reduction in fruit deterioration in both laboratory and transit tests. Cherries showed less transit injury when shipped in corrugated containers than in wooden containers; however, the use of corrugated containers for rail transit would require the development of new methods of temperature management. Results of container-design studies suggest that sweet cherries could be packed to a depth of six inches without damaging the fruit.