Discover how Gateway Mechanical Kelowna’s hydro-cooling technology revolutionizes cherry preservation across the Okanagan
Image Credit: Gateway Mechanical
October 07, 2023 - 8:00 AM
The Okanagan Valley is BC's agricultural hub, where a huge variety of fruits and vegetables flourish every year. While grapes and this region's award-winning wines may seem to get all the attention, BC cherries are also one of the star products. There is consistently high demand for our sweet cherries across Canada and in international markets. The agricultural industry continues to innovate, transforming how cherries are picked, preserved, and marketed.
Discover how Gateway Mechanical Kelowna’s hydro-cooling technology revolutionizes cherry preservation across the Okanagan
Image Credit: Gateway Mechanical
At the heart of the processing changes are the hydro-cooling systems, designed and championed by Bob LaRue, a Design Build Sales Representative with Gateway Mechanical in Kelowna. Historically, cherries were primarily sold domestically. However, the early 90s witnessed a shift as demand for Canadian cherries began to grow in Asia.
Bob says, "Back then, I saw the need to work closely with the Dean of Agriculture for the University of Washington, who was the cherry guru at the time. We needed to keep cherries cold and determine how to slow the rate of bacteria growth during transport."
Enter hydro-cooling: a method of rapidly cooling products with water. While the concept itself isn't new, the breakthrough was in the speed of cooling. LaRue and his team, after extensive research, devised a hydro-cooler capable of chilling cherries from 24°C to 1°C within 10 minutes of harvesting. This rapid cooling to just above freezing preserved the cherries and extended their shelf life by an impressive two weeks. The result? Cherries that remained fresh for longer, making them more appealing to international markets.
The success of this method has had ripple effects, with its application now being explored beyond cherries. Gateway Mechanical Kelowna's Branch Manager, Matt Lucas, says, "I see this product continuing to work for grapes, apples, and other fruits and vegetables.
Discover how Gateway Mechanical Kelowna’s hydro-cooling technology revolutionizes cherry preservation across the Okanagan
Image Credit: Gateway Mechanical
Bob LaRue Hydro-cooling has revolutionized cherry preservation across the Okanagan Valley. Together, Gateway’s commitment to innovation and sustainability and Bob’s innovation have extended the availability of cherries and made BC cherries more competitive globally. It's a testament to how innovation - backed by research and a deep understanding of the engineering behind effective commercial cooling - can open up new markets for Canadian growers while setting new industry standards
If you are an agricultural producer interested in learning more about efficient and innovative agricultural refrigeration solutions, Gateway Mechanical offers complete system design and support services to help you implement this game-changing process. Learn more on their website https://gatewaymechanical.ca/industries/agricultural/cherries/ and call for a consultation at (250) 763-7076.
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