Keells enhances freshest produce offering by strengthening value chain

• Expands to 9 collection centres with the newest in Nuwara Eliya 
• Continued investment in new equipment, including vegetable washing machines to ensure freshness is retained
• State-of-the-art Distribution Centre with a temperature controlled facility to maintain freshness and quality of vegetables and fruits
• Driving sustainable agricultural practices, technology building and capacity of agripreneurs
• Continuing with best practices: Date life codes, traceability mechanism

Providing the highest quality of fresh produce at affordable prices to customers has been a priority for Keells. Thus, the journey commenced three decades ago, when Keells started collaborating directly with farmers, setting up collection centres to ensure that the freshest produce was made available to customers. Establishing the concept of from farm to stores within 24 hours to maintaining freshness and three-stage quality checks Keells, further progressed in the journey of providing fresh produce to customers. 

Infusion of technology by investing in equipment such as carrot washing machines, date life codes whereby a team member at store is aware of the shelf life of fresh produce as well as the introduction of a “traceability mechanism” which further enhanced the process. The 260,000 sq. f.t, state-of-the-art Distribution Centre which opened in Kerawalapitya, provides a temperature-controlled environment through mechanical ventilation support for best storage conditions for fresh produce. It also has an automated tray washing machine to wash all crates of fresh produce to maintain hygiene and quality standards and is the first in the country at a distribution centre. 

Through the Keells ‘Govi Diri’ project which focuses on strengthening the fresh produce value chain, initiated together with the Smallholder Agriculture Partnership Program (SAPP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Keells committed to invest in technology to boost sustainable climate resistant and modern agri practices and to build capacity of agripreneurs. 

All such initiatives implemented are with the singular goal of providing the freshest produce at affordable prices to customers. Enabling customers to a choice of affordable, nutritious and fresh produce so that families can share and enjoy the precious moments they spend together as a family. And Keells is here to make your priceless moments with family, fresh with their freshest produce.