Do you have questions about Western Precooling Systems' agricultural precooling processes? Check the list of frequently asked questions below. If your question isn't answered here, contact WPS for more information.

Q:   Why does produce need to be precooled?
A:   Fresh Produce (or any perishable item) continues to breathe or respirate after it has been harvested. As it respirates, it breaks down. Fresh produce is precooled to reduce the temperature of the produce, slow the respiration rate and slow down product degradation. Simply put, proper temperature management through the distribution chain allows consumers to buy the freshest possible produce anywhere.

Q:   What does precooling mean?
A:   Precooling is a means of rapidly reducing the temperature of fresh produce items. For example, 12, 24 or even 36 pallets of lettuce (that is 1,152 cartons of lettuce) can be precooled to 34° from 80° in roughly 25 minutes.

Q:   How does Western Precooling Systems cool produce?
A:    We usually think that something has been cooled by bringing the "cool" to the product. Actually the reverse is true. To cool something we remove the heat from it. We remove the heat from an item by putting something colder next to it. This can be cold water, cold air, ice or even ammonia (inside a self-contained operating system). We utilize the best equipment for each type of produce item. For example, we use a vacuum tube for iceberg lettuce; a HydroVac™ tube for celery, romaine and other mixed lettuces; pressure cooling for strawberries, cantaloupe and cauliflower; a hydrocooler for peaches, nectarines and plums; and a liquid ice injector for broccoli.

Q:   How much does WPS' equipment cost?
A:   Western Precooling Systems does not sell its equipment. Rather, we provide it to our customers through one of our precooling facilities, as a "full service" lease or by entering into a partnership with our customer. We work to structure each arrangement to meet our customer or partner's goals. If you have an interest in exploring this further, please give us a call or e-mail us.

Q:   Where does WPS operate?
A:   Most of our operations take place in California and Arizona. However, our primary operations are throughout the Western United States and in parts of Mexico. If you are outside of these areas, we would still be very interested in talking with you.

Q:   How does WPS handle emergency equipment breakdowns?
A:   For over 60 years WPS has been providing more than just equipment to the agricultural community. We have been providing service. Obviously, when a customer is in the middle of the harvest season, they don't want to hear that we'll repair our equipment a week from Tuesday. We're on call seven days a week 24 hours a day with field service personnel throughout California and Arizona and have almost a million dollars in critical inventory parts at our fingertips. We are fully prepared to respond to any emergency breakdowns and minimize any interruptions to your post-harvest handling operatons.

Q:   Who moves the equipment, sets it up, and dismantles it?
A:   Most of the equipment requires a special expertise and, in many cases, special permits, to set up, dismantle or transport the equipment. Western Precooling Systems is fully prepared to take on this responsibility and, in almost all cases, handles all of these responsibilities.

Q:   How can I get more information about WPS?
A:    If you would like more information about our services or equipment, please contact Craig Miller or Larry Snyder at (510) 656-2220 or you can e-mail us at: