Capogreco Farms has become the latest local business to benefit from the state government's Regional Economic Development (RED) grants, with a $210,000 booster shot helping them install a state-of-the-art rapid cooling system at their Hamel-based operations.
The newly-installed infrastructure enables a prolonged shelf life and quality of fruit for Japanese customers, and has created a facility that can also be used by other businesses in regional Western Australia.
Export produce can be cooled to its most beneficial temperature, maximising shelf life while sustaining this temperature throughout the receiving and dispatch process.
The project has allowed Capogreco to double grower input, equating to approximately 1700 tonnes this season (ending July), and with larger cold storage capabilities, they have been able to increase their purchase of pumpkins and watermelons from Broome and Kununurra.
The assistance provided by the grant also allowed Capogreco Farms to hire four new full-time employees, including a quality assurance officer and three forklift operators.
Regional development minister Alannah MacTiernan said the installation of the cooling system showed the grants program was delivering "on the ground" results for local businesses.
"Capogreco have embraced technology to improve picking time, cold storage innovations, testing and certification processes, as well as the development of their state-of-the-art 'Guaranteed Sweet' labelling," she said.
"Through the RED grants, our government has been able to support this job-creating local project that has benefits for growers across the state."
