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One initiative getting attention is a steam-peeling project for pears. The team is testing new technology that could boost both operational efficiency and sustainability.“ We’ re investing in a steam peeler for trials at one of our facilities. We see both cost and sustainability benefits from using steam,” Paul notes. Pacific Coast also upgraded its peach-processing equipment at the Lodi facility, adding new pitting technology designed for better product quality.“ We’ ve installed 28 new machines, and they’ re already running. That project focused on quality, and we’ re seeing strong results in our finished products. We’ re also piloting new evaporation technologies to utilize fruit slivers and juices and turn them into concentrates, and reuse them as packing medium in our process.”
These efforts tie closely to the company’ s approach to sustainability. That commitment begins before any fruit is processed. As a processor of canned fruits and tomatoes, Pacific Coast starts with the packaging.“ The can is the most recycled container in the world, and it has been for a long time.”
The sustainability focus continues inside the plant. Materials from production go toward compost, animal feed, digesters, or energy applications.“ We try to utilize every single piece of fruit or tomato that comes into our facilities,” he explains.
Paul sees that focus on utilization reaching beyond the plant. It’ s a perspective you get from a business owned by growers whose livelihoods depend on making the most of what
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