1 million fruit and vegetable snack packs per month for schools

1st Quality Produce, located in downtown Fresno, is gearing up to produce over 1 million fruit and vegetable snack packs per month for schools around the valley. The produce company operates two dedicated teams of employees who wash, cut, and pack individual fresh fruits and vegetables. The produce company utilizes many local farms to provide items like squash, cucumbers and carrots. Local farmers also supply nectarines, grapes and strawberries for example.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are important catalysts for change in the efforts to battle childhood obesity. A child exposed to healthier alternatives in school gives them the opportunity to sample a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have had at home. This is made possible by a government-funded program according to The Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) who heads the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in schools. The purpose of the program is to increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary schools that have a high percentage of low income or free meals.

1st Quality Produce practices safe food handling. Produce received in a temperature-controlled dock, and then transferred to the processing department and/or distribution area, ensures the produce is in a temperature-controlled environment at all times. This method is called cold chain handling and is used to help extend and ensure the shelf life of agricultural products.

1st Quality Produce is audited every year by Primus Labs, a third party audit company. The audit covers Good Manufacturing Practices, Food Safety File Requirements, and HACCP Program Audit. 1st Quality Produce scored 95%. “Our food safety standards are high,” explains Mike Kahaian, CEO of 1st Quality Produce. “With the recent outbreaks of produce related illnesses, we must be proactive and go above normal standards,” he added.

1st Quality Produce is Central California’s premier wholesale produce company, fresh-cut processor and distributor of fresh, quality produce and specialty items located at 138 Fulton Street in Downtown Fresno.