Abstract: The disclosure is related to a method and apparatus for controlling the ripening of fresh produce, particularly the ripening of fresh fruit such as bananas. The fresh produce is arranged into a palletized load which is inserted into a ripening chamber. The palletized load is arranged into at least two spaced rows, each of said rows including at least two vertically spaced tiers to maximize the total amount of produce to be processed for the given floor space of the ripening chamber. A low pressure plenum is formed in the interstitial space between the at least two rows of palletized produce by sealing the space between the rows and the vertical space between the at least two tiers. A controlled fluid flow is introduced around the palletized produce load. Fluid is exhausted from above the interstitial space to create a low pressure plenum.