In the heart of California's fertile Central Valley, where almonds, pistachios, and other tree nuts reign supreme, a groundbreaking innovation is revolutionizing the way these food products are stored.

Amond World has introduced a state-of-the-art refrigerated cold storage, which is revamping the storage of tree nuts.

The company is all about food safety and product quality, specifically focusing on the often-overlooked but critical link in the agricultural supply chain with refrigerated cold storage. Take almonds, for example, a nut whose journey from tree to table is complex. It begins with the almonds on the trees, basking in the California sun until they are dry. When the time is right, they're shaken from their branches, which inspired the name ‘Amond’ – “they shake the ‘L’ out of them”.

Almonds are first transported to a huller for shell removal, revealing raw almond meat. Each variety such as Nonpareil, Monterey, Carmel, and Butte/Padre, to name a few; is sorted and sized and packed into wood or plastic bins. Traditionally, almonds are stored in dry conditions, but this requires frequent fumigation to prevent pest infestation, posing food safety and sustainability concerns. Amond World offers a game-changing solution, a refrigerated cold storage facility maintaining temperatures between 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating the need for fumigation, and improving product quality and safety.

“With refrigerated cold storage, Amond World preserves the integrity of almonds for up to two years, keeping them fresh and delicious,” says Robert Sullivan, managing partner and co-founder of Amond World.

Traditional dry storage, especially in hot months, can expose almonds to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and 80 percent humidity, negatively impacting their weight, taste, color, and texture.

Amond World's solution preserves almonds' original quality, even after extended storage of up to two years, a growing necessity with a typical carryover of around 20 percent. With an average 2.6 billion pound crop every year, it’s extremely important.

Refrigerated cold storage has emerged as a lifeline. Amond World's 250,000-square-foot facility, in collaboration with the California Almond Board, maintains optimal conditions of 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 55 to 65 percent humidity. Its advanced refrigeration system with five bays accommodates various product needs.

“Controlled temperature and humidity play a pivotal role in maintaining nut quality, and our refrigerated storage excels at both,” says Steve Sagouspé, managing partner and co-founder of Amond World.

Amond World also serves the pistachio market in Central California, accounting for 98 percent of the US market at around 1.2 billion pounds this year. Its vital role in pistachio storage is due to the need for frequent fumigation. It also explores storage opportunities for pistachios, walnuts, pecans, raisins, and wine. A dedicated bay is available for organic products requiring freezing instead of fumigation.

Beyond nuts, Amond World handles finished almond products, such as almond flour, used in baking; cereals and candies. Its advanced cold storage ensures extended product quality, eliminates the need for fumigation, and takes advantage of seasonal price fluctuations to enhance profitability.

Amond World has also introduced a tempering room to prepare products for changing external conditions. It gradually raises the product's temperature from 40 to 70 degrees, preventing moisture-related issues when exposed to higher outside temperatures. This innovation guarantees product quality and consistency

The collaboration with the California Almond Board opens the door to testing products stored for more extended durations, offering a significant step forward for the almond industry.

To meet the industry's evolving needs and adapt to unforeseen challenges, Amond World is embarking on an exciting phase two. This expansion involves constructing an additional 250,000-square-foot facility, doubling its storage capacity to a staggering 100 million pounds.

More than just being a cold storage facility, Amond World champions product quality, preserving freshness, and confirming food safety while propelling the agricultural and food industries into a sustainable and efficient future.