Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/715089
In the dry remote area of Santa Rosa de Lima in southeast Guatemala is a secluded place where tomatoes are grown, harvested and exported. This hothouse farm stands tall against warm blue skies, surrounded only by rugged mountains and tight roads. The interior of Delicias Hidroponicas SA's hothouse (greenhouse) is both harsh and beautiful. Temperatures feel like a sauna, yet the white color of this enclosure, the endless rows of packed coconut fiber - where seeds are planted instead of soil - and the tomato plants twined around white vertical strings, create a sense of harmony. Not a sound is heard. Humble local farmers quietly work so as not to disturb the tomatoes' growth until they are ready. Tomato production can take almost seven months, and well before they ripen and the harvest begins, Crowley has already developed the logistics and transportation solutions needed to guarantee Central American farmers of their product's careful, timely delivery into the U.S. market. From trucking to ocean transportation to customs clearance to cold storage and distribution, Crowley is able to provide perishables shippers with cold chain logistics services that are both comprehensive and integrated. Left: Thanks to Crowley's wide-ranging logistics solutions, tomatoes grown in a Guatemalan hothouse are delivered to U.S. markets at peak demand. Our continued investment in this industry is a full testament of our commitment to the perishables segment of the business." Story continued on page 16 Core Value: HIGH PERFORMANCE Increasing the Velocity of Freshness Integrated Logistics Solutions Accelerate the Delivery of Produce for Peak Freshness Story by Ginelie Piovanetti 15 Connections Summer 2016