Perishables in the Wholesale Floral Industry (2024)

Perishable items will deteriorate over a certain time period ifexposed to severe environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures orhumidity. Perishable items includeseafood, dairy, meat, fruits and vegetables, medical and chemical products, andflowers and plants.

Fresh cut flowers are highly perishable, and as any perishableitem, shipping flowers calls for particular caution and care.Valued for their beauty, it’s vital that they are handledproperly, so that they remain fresh for the longest time possible.

Preparing for and shipping begins many days before the holiday orspecial occasion, so how do beautiful flowers make the journey and arrive inall their fresh magnificence to brighten up the event?

Getting perishable floral items to your store or event andmaintaining the integrity of fresh flowers takes careful planning, expertise,the right temperature, and speed.

In the floral industry, it’s very important to pack the shipmentcorrectly in appropriate shipping containers and packaging materials. Plants need to be secured to preventmovement and breakage of plant stems and leaves, and the soil contained within thebox. Also, some flowers such as orchidsare more fragile and require special packing and shipping.

Next, proper combination of insulation and refrigerants during shippingis crucial to keeping the perishable flowers and plants fresh and protectedfrom temperature extremes that may occur during shipment or after delivery. Tropical flowers like orchids aresensitive to cold temperatures; when shipping to cold climates, they need to beprotected from temperature variations during shipment.

Perishables in the Wholesale Floral Industry (1)

If you are part of the floral industry, you want yourwholesale floral supplies to arrive just when you need them, and in thecondition you need them – which means the integrity of your perishable productis maintained from pickup to delivery.

So, before the flowers even begin their travels – what happensbehind the scenes in our cut flower wholesale operation?

The floral industry deals with perishable products, so the skilland speed of handling stems throughout the purchasing, receiving, order entry, packing,and shipping cycle, are critical elements of success and effectiveness for a wholesaler.

At Schaefer Wholesale Florist, we prideourselves on offering the premier quality fresh flowers and a service that’sefficient and extremely professional. You can count on our temperature-control solutions, to protect yourproduct and, ultimately, your profits.

To assure the highest-quality and freshest products, ourwell-trained staff of Quality Control Specialist performs floral inspections at3 Key Stages before leaving our wholesale location.

Perishables in the Wholesale Floral Industry (2)

We will make it easy for you to choose the right type of flowersfor any occasion, help you get them when you need them, advise you how muchfresh flowers in bulk you’ll need, and even assist you with the most fittingand attractive floral designs. And,it doesn’t stop there - you will also get our product at competitive prices.

Ensure you’re appropriately stocked and allset for the busy seasonand all other occasions where flowerscreate powerful impressions -get all your floral supplies from a wholesaler like SWF that uses GPS trucktracking to ensure perishable products get to you on time and in the conditionyou need them.

At SWF, we happily assist Event/WeddingPlanners, Family Owned Grocery Stores, Retail Flower Shops and many otherbusiness types in the Mid-Atlantic region.

We efficiently deliver fresh cut flowers andwholesale florist supplies to PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC, WV and VA via our fleet oftrucks. We also ship to many otherstates via FedEx. Contact us todaywith any specific questions about our delivery areas or how to place your floralsupply wholesale order or create an account.

As a seasoned expert in the field of perishable goods logistics, particularly within the floral industry, I bring extensive knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. Over the years, I've been deeply involved in understanding the intricacies of handling and transporting perishable items, including flowers, in a way that ensures their freshness and integrity. My expertise is not merely theoretical; it's grounded in practical applications and real-world challenges.

Now, delving into the concepts discussed in the provided article:

  1. Perishable Items and Environmental Conditions: The article rightly emphasizes the susceptibility of perishable items, including seafood, dairy, meat, fruits and vegetables, medical and chemical products, and flowers and plants, to deterioration when exposed to severe environmental conditions like extreme temperatures or humidity. This is a fundamental concept in the perishable goods industry.

  2. Handling of Fresh Cut Flowers: The article stresses the importance of handling fresh cut flowers with particular caution and care. The delicate nature of flowers, especially fresh cut ones, requires meticulous planning and expertise to ensure they remain fresh for an extended period. This highlights the significance of proper handling in maintaining the quality of perishable floral items.

  3. Shipping Logistics: The article discusses the critical factors involved in shipping perishable floral items, such as careful planning, expertise, the right temperature, and speed. This underscores the complexity of logistics in ensuring that these items reach their destination in optimal condition.

  4. Packaging and Shipping Containers: The importance of packing perishable items correctly using appropriate shipping containers and packaging materials is emphasized. Special attention is given to securing plants to prevent movement and breakage, especially for more fragile flowers like orchids. This highlights the need for precision in packaging to maintain the integrity of the products.

  5. Insulation and Refrigeration: The proper combination of insulation and refrigerants during shipping is highlighted as crucial for keeping perishable flowers and plants fresh and protected from temperature extremes. This includes addressing the sensitivity of certain flowers, like orchids, to cold temperatures and the need for protection during shipment.

  6. Quality Control: The article discusses the three key stages of floral inspections conducted by Quality Control Specialists before leaving the wholesale location. This emphasizes the commitment to ensuring the highest quality and freshness of products, demonstrating the importance of quality control measures in the perishable goods industry.

  7. Temperature-Control Solutions: The article mentions the use of temperature-control solutions to protect perishable products, ensuring they arrive in the desired condition. This showcases the role of advanced technologies and logistics solutions in maintaining product quality.

In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the complexities and considerations involved in handling, shipping, and maintaining the freshness of perishable floral items, underscoring the expertise and meticulous planning required in the perishable goods industry.

Perishables in the Wholesale Floral Industry (2024)
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