Multi-year pact brings IFCO’s reusable produce crates to more Stater Bros. categories, cutting single-use packaging, shrink and back-room labor across 169 stores
Stater Bros. Markets, Southern California’s largest privately owned supermarket chain, has signed a multi-year agreement to widen its use of IFCO’s reusable packaging containers (RPCs) for fresh produce after a joint review showed the switch could cut shrink, boost freshness and lower costs throughout the grocer’s 169-store network.
The expanded partnership extends a relationship that began more than a decade ago and now covers carrots, corn, stone fruit, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and a range of “soft and wet” vegetables.
IFCO’s stackable, ventilated crates replace single-use boxes, giving Stater Bros. a sturdier container during palletization and transport while supporting the retailer’s goal of trimming packaging waste in stores.
Ahead of the deal the two companies mapped every touchpoint in the supermarket’s fresh-food supply chain, from supplier loading docks to distribution centers and sales floors.
That audit identified workflow changes that could free up back-room labor and showed how RPCs maintain consistent temperatures and airflow, which in turn slows product deterioration and extends shelf life.
Growers also endorsed the move: given the option, more than 80 percent of Stater Bros. produce suppliers said they would choose IFCO RPCs for their shipments, citing the crates’ stability and lower damage rates.
The retailer expects that preference to reduce inbound variability and simplify receiving at its primary distribution hub in San Bernardino.
“We appreciate the close collaboration with the IFCO team and their commitment to providing the best possible packaging solution for our specific needs. As more of our fresh products are transported in IFCO RPCs, we can maximize the operational and sustainability benefits. Their durability makes it easier to securely stack, store and transport fresh products more efficiently. This is an exciting development, as shown by the positive response of our key suppliers in choosing to use IFCO RPCs to transport their fresh products.”
Brian Sahargun, Senior Manager of Produce at Stater Bros
“As we continue to reduce single-use packaging in our stores, we’re changing our store environment. Our teammates will spend less time in the back handling packaging waste but more time in the store with our customers, which is where they prefer to be. Additionally, the highly ventilated and robust design of the IFCO RPCs ensures our products are kept fresher for longer, cutting down on shrink and waste. And it’s our customers who ultimately appreciate the results, which is consistently high-quality fresh produce in our stores.”
Jacob Cadwallader, Chain’s Director of Produce
“IFCO is proud to partner with Stater Bros. and support their pursuit of service excellence. Our circular economy pooling model saves retailers time, space and effort all while reducing the environmental impacts of their supply chain.”
Jon Brooks, Vice-President of Retail Sales
The rollout dovetails with Stater Bros. “Fresh. Affordable. Community First.” pledge and its broader sustainability agenda, which includes diverting waste from landfills and lowering greenhouse-gas emissions.
IFCO estimates that its global pool of more than 395 million RPCs already prevents roughly 2 billion single-use boxes from entering the waste stream each year, savings that align with the grocer’s public commitments.
Industry analysts note that reusable crates can reduce damage rates by up to 50 percent compared with corrugated packaging, a critical factor as retailers race to curb food loss and meet state-level mandates on organic-waste diversion.
