Transporting fresh corn to the supermarket is a delicate process with a short timespan. Corn must be properly packaged and kept at exactly the right chilled temperature and humidity level or the sugars in the corn could turn to starch. Of all the corn grown in the US, the fresh sweet corn on the cob that people buy at the grocery store is the most challenging to ship.
One of the greatest challenges is that unreliable produce boxes can put your entire crop at risk. It just one of the traditional waxed cardboard boxes collapses or fails to maintain a seal, all the corn inside might be damaged even if every other aspect of your cold chain transport is ideal. This is why corn growers are switching to corrugated plastic boxes to optimize the arrival of undamaged crops to markets and retailers while minimizing the risk of food waste.
Sweet corn on the cob has a short timer for transport between harvest and sale. To ensure customers enjoy your crop at it's best quality, the conditions of your corn must be exact through the entire shipping process. It needs to be in the husk, kept at approximately 32 degrees, 98 percent humidity, and packaged firmly but with "room to breathe".
Corrugated plastic offers the structure, insulation, and waterproof durability that your corn needs to make it to market in perfect condition, with it's appearance, crunch, and flavor intact.
When comparing corrugated plastic boxes to traditional waxed cardboard boxes, what stands out first is the waterproof design. Corrugated plastic can't melt when exposed to high-humidity environments, which corn requires, or melting ice from ice-packing produce. The plastic will maintain it's structure and protect your crop no matter the moisture conditions.
Corrugated plastic is ideal for ice-packing your corn to keep it at the right temperature during cold-chain transport and grocery shelf life. Each plastic box allows you to create a micro-climate inside so that your corn can be transported alongside other produce, maintaining it's optimal interior airflow, temperature, and humidity for high-quality corn on delivery.
Collapsed palettes of produce are a constant problem with waxed cardboard. However, corrugated plastic produce boxes remain rigid because they don't collapse when wet and are made of stronger material than cardboard. Your corn will never be crushed in a palette collapse even if stacked with cardboard because the box will rididly protect the interior volume.
Because corrugated plastic makes it easier to maintain the right cold temperature and high humidity to transport your corn, you will enjoy a longer cold chain and a longer shelf-life as a result. The interior of the box will promote ice-packed corn's quality during interstate transport and longer cold storage.
Lastly, corrugated plastic produce boxes are reusable and recycleable unlike waxed cardboard. This promotes sustainability throughout the produce industry no matter where your corn shipping boxes wind up.
If you have been considering how to ensure your sweet corn on the cob ships safely and arrives at it's best quality, the answer lies in your choice of packaging. Sweet corn is transported in ice and cold water, which requires waterproof produce boxes that can maintain an interior climate while giving your corn the breathing room it needs for air circulation.
Upgrading to customized corrugated plastic boxes is the perfect way to ensure your corn is protected and properly climate-controlled from harvest to the successful end of each cold chain delivery. Contact us to discuss custom branded corrugated plastic produce boxes for your corn and other produce.