As has been said throughout, every facet of Sandstone’s business is pivotal in producing great tasting melons.  The same is to be said about Harvesting and Cooling.  Sandstone takes pride in using exclusive, focused companies and facilities tailored to meet our company’s needs.

Harvesting is literally a labor of love and with Sandstone’s sister company Primetime Harvesting, such labor is provided.  Primetime is committed to its personnel and providing a great work experience.  Primetime selects its employees on quality of work done, not quantity of boxes packed.  With an intensive training program to ensure quality, each employee is taught how to harvest great tasting melons.

We believe teamwork is the best work.  Because of this belief Primetime administers a quality incentive program that rewards the most outstanding team for each harvesting week.  Each Tuesday the Sandstone Corporate flag is presented to the best team.  The teams then own this flag for the week and are able to fly it on their respective trailers.  This program has proven so successful that the turnover at Primetime is well below industry standards. In addition Primetime’s commitment to reduced employee turnover and increased moral incorporate shaded areas, tables and chairs and restroom facilities cleaned daily, clearly above and beyond the industry norm.

Primetime does not stop there.  Custom hauling equipment is used to ensure quality transportation from field to cooler.  These one of a kind trailers reduce direct sunlight and do not crush the boxes.  These trailers also prevent dust and foreign objects from entering the product during the transport from field to cooler.  Primetime adheres to Good Handling Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices as specified by the federal government.

The cooling process starts as the melons enter the trailers.  The custom trailers promote evaporative cooling on the way to the cooler.  Our exclusive cooling facilities ensure quick cooling and proper temperatures.  Sandstone pre-cools each and every carton to ensure longer shelf life and preserve flavor.

To ensure our quality product makes it to our customers after it leaves our direct control, Sandstone uses unique loading techniques on line trucks.  In addition to using CHEP pallets, corner boards and strapping materials are used on each pallet to help maintain the integrity of the boxes.  Finally, airbags are strategically placed in each load to prevent the load from shifting and damaging theproduct.