Usually the fruits are stored in ambient temperatures when they are green and after ripening are placed in the refrigerator. However, in northern Italy, some producers decided to use a technique that is already old there, the "caves" is the option to store the apple harvest. 

The "caves", spaces carved under a slope, does not expend energy and allows to maintain the temperature of the fruits. Apples are stored in plastic boxes within refrigerated areas. Mauro Erlicher is responsible for the project, "in terms of environmental impact, there are more advantages and returns," he explains. 

In addition, one of the biggest results is in the electricity bill, a saving of 32% less electricity. The caves below the Orchards of Predaia are part of the initiative of the Melinda group, it is estimated that soon cooling areas can store more than 40,000 tons of apples soon. 

Source: Agrolink