With New Regulations on the Horizon, the Cold Storage Industry Will Need to Adapt
As the EPA and other regulatory bodies discuss hydrofluorocarbons and other refrigerants with “global warming potential,” it will be up to those in the cold storage industry to future-proof their operations and focus on data to maintain profitability. It is safe to say that the cold storage industry, and how their facilities operate, have reached a […]
Recently Advanced Farm Bill Could Have Wide-reaching Impact on Produce & Floral Industries
The national conversation surrounding the 2018 Farm Bill, advanced in the Senate on June 28th by an 86-11 vote, will likely revolve around the highly political topics as the bill continues through the legislative process. Topics such as SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which could see a congressional war over work requirements to receive […]
In Connected, Smart Technologies, the HVACR Industry Sees a Real Game-Changer
Some of the best places to gain insight on the future outlook of specific technologies or industries are trade shows, conferences, and educational sessions hosted by industry leaders. Often, a new technology or product will ignite a flurry of buzz and anticipation, but without a full understanding of its impact or integration into its particular […]
Decreasing Energy Costs as a Produce Facility — a PMA Webinar
Last month, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) hosted an educational webinar about ways in which produce businesses can decrease energy costs, and pursue sustainability goals. Three guest speakers shared their expertise and described the tools and measures they implemented to achieve their desired results. There is a growing focus on being more cognizant of energy […]
FDA Provides an Update on the new Produce Safety Rule
As the full, national rollout of the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA)—a sweeping reform of food safety laws designed to better prevent issues as opposed to simply responding to them—continues, some of the larger regulatory pieces are taking their time in being implemented. One of these pieces, and arguably one of the most impactful […]
2018 E. Coli Outbreak can be Learning Opportunity for Leafy Greens Industry
The worst E. Coli outbreak in over a decade has affected a widespread swathe of the country—reaching as far as Alaska—but seems to have originated from just one location: Yuma County in southwest Arizona. According to public health officials with the FDA, the outbreak has sickened 197 people in 35 states, with five tragically having […]
Compressor Short Cycling: A Hard-to-Find Energy Waster
In commercial applications, one of the most important tasks in keeping components running at their peak performance is determining what’s a cause and what’s a symptom if mechanical problems arise. The difference between knowing and not knowing could be thousands of dollars worth of diagnosis. In particular, short cycling seems to be one of those […]
As Companies Continue to Alter Their Processes to Adhere to FSMA, Some Remain Skeptics
Originally passed in 2010, it took the next six years to develop the full breadth of the act. The FSMA was legislation driven by the Food & Drug Administration with the goal of having companies be better equipped to prevent food-borne illness as opposed to just reacting to contamination. On January 26, 2018, the industry […]
5 Quick Food Safety Tips for Commercial Kitchens
Refrigeration is essential for food safety in commercial kitchens where large quantities of perishable food is stored, such as in cafeterias and restaurants. The FDA and USDA set strict guidelines, but a few simple steps can help keep commercial kitchens organized and prevent waste. 1. Always use old stock first. it’s called the first in, […]
4 Reasons to Think About Your HVACR System More Seriously
Commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment is one of those behind-the-scenes essentials that most owner-operators depend on but don’t think much about. Walk-in coolers and freezers can be large, intimidating behemoths that might account for the largest portion of a facility’s electricity consumption.Compressors, evaporator fans, and defrost heaters require a certain level of technical know-how to […]