With The ABC For Fruits & Vegetables We All Benefit

Nowadays the commercialization of fruits and vegetables is the most important in any food business because these products have become the product differentiator to attract customers. Generally, consumers plan their shopping and from there do the rest of the purchases in the same establishment, as indicated by market research studies in Mexico -"TNS Gallup" 2005 and ANTAD of the same year.

Notwithstanding the importance of these products, data from the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) show losses ranging from 15 to 50 percent worldwide in the postharvest.

Basically, the causes for the losses in fruits and vegetables are linked to the lack of adequate techniques during their handling at arrival, storage, distribution, transportation and exhibition stages.

These problems represent great market opportunities for fruit and vegetable products; the implementation of appropriate handling practices ensures the quality of the products hence supporting and reaching the consolidation of such opportunities in the benefit of consumers.

As a response to this situation, Grupo PM, based on its experience in handling of fruits and vegetables – providing assistance and technical support on adequate handling of these products for over 20 years, and under the sponsorship of:

• Avocados from Michoacán / APEAM
• California Kiwifruit Commission
• California Pear Advisory Board
• California Tree Fruit Agreement
• National Watermelon Promotion Board
• Pear Bureau Northwest
• United States Potato Board
• U.S. Apple Export Council

developed, more than three years ago, the ABC of Fruits and Vegetables, a complete training program on fruit and vegetable handling.

This training program has two components. The first is an autodidact system available for free on www.abcdefrutasyverduras.com website.  By taking this course online users become experts in handling fruits and vegetables, having repercussion in the control of variables in the handling of these products, which will affect the quality and, consequently, in boosting the customers’ trust, improving sales and optimizing their business.

According to the Mexican Internet Association (AMIPCI), the use of Smartphones connecting to the internet doubled (58%) in 2012 over the previous year (26%), so in order to stay ahead, as of January 2013 the ABC of Fruits and Vegetables course will be available via Smartphones and electronic tablets with Android and iOS systems, making self-training even easier.

On the other hand, the second component is a reference section which includes basic handling information, problems and nutritional information for over 180 fruit and vegetable products. This reference section is available on the website, as an application for Smartphones, and recently for electronic tablets.

The success of this program has been overwhelming. Up to this day there are over 8,400 registered users worldwide, mainly with 15 Latin American countries registered, covering more than 20 supermarket chains. 86% of our users are staff working in these chains, 8% is importers and wholesalers, and the rest consists of teachers, students, independent professionals, and even housewives.

The fact of the program continuing to reap success does not depend on one single effort, but on the sum of the support from all sectors, as mucho from those of a commercial nature as of all those who can communicate the great benefits that this training program provides in every aspect.

Do not miss the opportunity to know the advantages of ABC of Fruits and Vegetables first hand! These range from changing the culture within the traditional and modern markets improving the handling and conservation process, to reducing losses of fruits and vegetables to offer the consumer high quality products.  No doubt about it, with the ABC of Fruits and Vegetables we all benefit!

www.facebook.com/abcdefrutasyverduras
@ABCdefrutasyver

Let us continue achieving success!

Source: Grupo PM