The cardboard tray-poly bag package is used extensively by repackers

 for hearts in Boston. Adopting this type of package appears to be one

 way of capturing a larger proportion of the heart market in Boston and

 possibly other markets as well. The transportation savings alone

 could give Florida shippers a decided cost advantage.

 Packaging Preferences by Wholesalers and Retailers


 Wholesalers and retailers were asked how they usually bought

 whole-stalk celery, i.e., what proportions were bought naked (plain)

 or pre-sleeved, either open or closed. Open sleeves are generally

 used for the standard 14- to 14 1/2-inch stalks from Florida or

 California. Closed sleeves are used primarily for the shorter 11-to

 11 1/2-inch stalks, also packed by both major celery growing areas.

 Wholesalers and retailers were also asked the reasons for their pre-

 ferences for naked or sleeved stalks. The wholesalers interviewed

 expressed a unanimous preference for naked celery, citing cost as

 the major reason. They indicated that their customers were unwilling

 to pay the sleeping upcharge. Responses from full-service wholesalers

 were included with those of retailers because of their considerable

 retail contact.

 All retailers in Philadelphia reported that they regularly

purchased some naked celery. Among larger firms, the proportion of

naked celery bought ranged from 20 to 100 percent; on an overall

volume basis, for all retailers interviewed, 79 percent of the whole

stalk celery was bought naked and the remaining 21 percent bought as

open pre-sleeved (Table 15). None regularly bought short, closed

pre-sleeved celery.