Produce Storage: Cantaloupe

Recommended Temperature: 38-40°F
Relative Humidity: 85-90%

Storing Tips: Cantaloupe is shipped 3/4 ripe to reduce bruising that can occur during shipping. Store firm cantaloupe at room temperature until they begin to soften, then put in cooler. For best quality, ripe cantaloupe should be used immediately. Store cut cantaloupe away from other foods. Cantaloupe odor will penetrate other foods and will also absorb the odors of other foods.

Suggested Storage Containers:
Cambro Food Storage Box Size: 18" x 26" x 9"
Product Code: 18269CW
Lid Options: flat-1826CCW or hinged-1826SCCW

If another box size seems more suitable, here is the complete list of sizes available.

Cambro CamSquare Container Capacity: 18 qt.
Product Code: 18SFSCW
Lid Option: Snap on-Product Code: SFC12

Produce Storage: Blueberries

Recommended Temperature: 31-34°F
Relative Humidity: 90-95%

Storing Tips: Refrigerate blueberries immediately after receiving. Do not wash before storing. Blueberries need to be positioned in a well ventilated area to allow good air circulation. Do not stack the containers, store them in a single layer.

Suggested Storage Containers:
Store in original shipping flats or bulk packs.

Produce Storage: Bananas

Recommended Temperature: 60°F.
Relative Humidity: 85-90%

Storing Tips: Bananas should be ripened at 62-64°F, then stored at 60°F. Store in a dry storage area outside your cooler with the lid open. Opening the lid lets the ethylene gas escape, slowing down the ripening process.

Suggested Storage Containers:
Store in original shipping cartons.

Produce Storage: Avocados

Recommended Temperature: 40-45°F.
Relative Humidity: 85-90%

Storing Tips: Ripen avocados at 67-70°F, then store at 40-45°F Ripening can take from 3 to 10 days depending on the time of the year and whether or not it has been treated with ethylene. (Avocados exposed to ethylene ripen more quickly and can shorten the ripening time to 3 days in late season and 5 days in early season.) If avoca­dos are stored below 40°F, the skin or pulp turns dark.

Suggested Storage Containers:
Cambro Food Storage Box Size: 18" x 26" x 3-1/2"
Product Code: 18263CW

Produce Storage: Apricots

Recommended Temperature: 31-32°F

Relative Humidity: 90%

Storing Tips: If apricots arrive unri­pened, store at room temperature to ripen. If ripe, refrigerate immediately. Ripe apricots should be used quickly, their shelf life is short.

Suggested Storage Containers:Cambro Food Storage Box Size: 18" x 26" x 3-1/2"

Product Code: 18263CW

Produce Storage: Apples

Recommended Temperature: 32°-35°F
Relative Humidity: 90-95%

Storing Tips: Apples become soft if stored at room temperature. Keep them in the coolest part of your cooler, against the back wall. (They ripen 10 times faster at 70°F and 5 times faster at 40°F)

Apples will pick up odors and flavors from other foods. They also give off ethylene gas and should be stored away from other fruits and vegetables affected by ethylene. Keep apples dry, do not rinse or sprinkle with water before storing.

Suggested Storage Containers:
Cambro Food Storage Box Size: 18" x 26" x 9"
Product Code: 18269CW
Lid Options: flat-1826CCW or hinged-1826SCCW

The Three Types of Caterers

Generally speaking, all caterers fall into one of three categories. These include:

1. Party Food Caterers
2. Hot Buffet Caterers
3. Full Service Caterers

As you can tell from just a glance, each of the three categories is distinguished by the different services provided. More importantly, each of the categories is determined by the most critical factor in catering - the Menu. It's your menu which largely determines who you serve, when you serve and how you serve.

Also, it's the menu that guides you in the critical selection of your catering equipment. For instance, a smashing menu exquisitely prepared and presented will be ruined if the foods lose their desired temperature in transit from your kitchen to the site.

On the upcoming posts we'll take a much closer look at menus, how you develop them and also identify the key catering equipment you'll need for success with whichever menu you decide to serve.

Care & Maintenance of Compression Molded Items

Includes Fiberglass Camtrays® and Fiberglass Plate Covers

• All fiberglass products need to be washed thoroughly before their initial use.
• All fiberglass items are commercial dishwasher safe. Occasionally, these products need to be washed by hand with warm water and soap to prevent build-up. This would depend on the frequency with which the items are used.
• Use a plastic or bristle brush when hand washing.
• Do not use abrasives (such as Comet, Ajax, etc., or metal scouring pads).
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry.
• Camtreads® that are stained can be cleaned with a product such a “Lime Away” but be sure to rinse well after cleaning and let dry.