Fresh Depot opens cold storage unit in the north

FOLLOWING the successful introduction of its first pilot cold storage unit in Benguet, Aboitiz Group’s Fresh Depot has launched its second pilot unit in Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT), one of the country’s biggest trading centers located in the Cagayan Valley region. Aboitiz Equity Ventures chief transformation officer Emilie Sydney-Smith said Fresh Depot continues to contribute to the country’s food sustainability by providing a physical and digital platform for farmers, with cold storage as its springboard. “Filipino farmers face so many challenges, it can be hard to know where to start. When we saw that cold storage technology could prevent around half of their crops from spoiling between harvest and consumption, this was an obvious answer. Getting paid for most, not half, of their production means that farmers will soon be able to invest in other products that can create a virtuous cycle in their prosperity. Digitally tracking the cold storage usage means we can also help the government understand how they can better support farmers,” she said. With Fresh Depot’s innovative pilot unit, farmers and traders can now efficiently store their surplus produce and preserve its freshness until it reaches the market. This groundbreaking solution aims to significantly reduce food wastage and enhance the food supply chain in the Philippines. Moreover, Fresh Depot seeks to provide value-adding services, such as establishing a comprehensive database that the government can leverage to enhance their agricultural initiatives.