Innovation Takes Flight: A New Era in Fresh Produce

1953 marked a revolutionary period in the fruit and vegetable industry as technological advances in transportation and refrigeration transformed the way fresh produce could be distributed and enjoyed. This transformation was particularly significant for Arnold's, who had just celebrated an impressive 60 years in business, demonstrating once again their ability to embrace change and innovation.

Prior to these developments, the availability of fresh produce had been strictly governed by natural growing seasons. Only hardy vegetables like potatoes, onions, and pumpkins could be transported and stored for extended periods, while more delicate fruits and vegetables were limited to their traditional growing seasons in each region. This had been the accepted norm since J.G Arnold's early days with his wheelbarrow of local produce.

Arnold's demonstrated their pioneering spirit by being among the first to utilize air transport for fresh produce delivery. In a move that would have seemed almost magical to their founding generation, they arranged for fresh strawberries to be flown in from Queensland during the winter months. The strawberries would land at Corowa airport before being transported by truck to Albury, allowing local customers to enjoy this summer fruit during the cold winter months - a luxury previously unimaginable.

This innovative approach to sourcing produce aligned perfectly with the celebration of Arnold's 60th anniversary in business. From J.G's humble beginnings to flying in fresh strawberries from interstate, the business had continuously evolved while maintaining its commitment to providing the finest fresh produce to the community. The contrast between the business's early days of local door-to-door vegetable sales and the modern operation utilizing air freight demonstrated just how far both the industry and Arnold's had come.

The ability to source out-of-season produce from different climate zones represented more than just a business innovation; it marked a fundamental shift in how fresh food could be provided to customers year-round. Arnold's embrace of these new possibilities showed that even after 60 years, they remained at the forefront of industry developments, continuing to find new ways to serve their community better.