Priceless moments made fresh, every day by Keells

Farmer’s form the backbone of a nation’s food supply chain and play a key role in ensuring the sustainability of food production even during the most challenging times. As a retailer operating with the core purpose of ‘Improving the quality of life for the nation’, it is imperative that we at Keells work hand in hand with our farmer network to ensure we provide fresh produce that is of good quality and affordable to customers. To this end, we have taken steps to provide our farmers with the necessary technology, knowledge, and assistance they need to secure their livelihood whilst also supporting the wider farmer communities in our sourcing locations.

 Through the ‘Keells Govidiri’ programme we empower farmers to evolve from the traditional farming approach to become agripreneurs by giving access to a secure market to sell their produce along with the assurance of a sustainable income source. Furthermore, we were able to provide agri tech such as insect proof nets, drip irrigation, poly mulching, transplanting and impart expertise required to assist farmers to incorporate greenhouse technology into their everyday farming practices. These sustainable and climate resistance agricultural practices ensure the produce maintains its right quality and freshness. 

At Keells, our goal remains to maximise farmers’ earnings through the introduction of new technologies whilst incorporating quality and product improvement. By helping our farmers adopt these farming techniques and different technologies, the cost of irrigation and fertilisation was reduced by an average of 60% while production increased by 30% over conventional use.

In the seamless journey from farm to fork, our farmers bring the harvested produce to the Keells collection centres for quality checks and cleaning. Once approved, it is swiftly transported to our state-of-the-art distribution centre, ensuring the freshest produce reaches you within 24 hours. Together, we're revolutionising the way you experience farm-fresh goodness. 

To further enhance our productivity in terms of collection and delivery, apart from the existing 6 collection centres (Dambulla, Jaffna, Kadawatha, Keppetipola, Sooriyawewa and Thambuttegama) we have established three new centres in Kuda Oya, Nuwaraeliya, and Adikarigama. These collection centres serve as the initial checkpoints in the distribution channel, where rigorous quality assurance measures for freshness are implemented. Upon receiving produce, a thorough quality and grading process is conducted to determine which items meet the standards for further distribution. Selected produce is then loaded onto crates and transported by trucks to the distribution centre.

Upon reaching the distribution centre, the fresh produce undergo random quality checks to assure its freshness. Subsequently, items that meet the expected standards are sorted and allocated for transport to Keells stores nationwide.

The detailed attention we place at the farms and with our farmers extend to our supply chain too. The expertise honed over years is applied throughout the supply chain to retain freshness and deliver it within 24 hours to customers.

Fresh Produce Distribution Centre:

Our state-of-the-art facilities utilise advanced machinery for pre-packing items and crate washing while also conducting multiple quality checks. Dedicated staff employ pre-packing machines for items such as Onions, Potatoes, Garlic, and Red Onions. A first in the country, a specialised crate washing machine thoroughly cleans the crates used to handle produce, maintaining their hygiene and freshness. 

Chilled Distribution Centre:

Our chilled distribution centre specialises in handling fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring their optimal quality and freshness. Strict protocols and industry standards are adhered to, in order to maintain precise temperatures and humidity levels throughout the distribution process. Upon arrival at our facility, fruits and vegetables undergo careful inspection, sorting, and packaging by our team. Food items stored in this centre are also transported to stores in chilled trucks.

We place utmost priority on our freshness guarantee throughout the distribution channel and at the point of sale in our stores. We understand the significance of providing nothing but the best to our customers and their families ensuring that fresh food remains accessible to every family across the island at all times at an affordable price. This is because we understand the need for our customers to provide their loved ones with the freshest produce so that every moment they spend together is priceless.