Eloy, AZ – Potato operations for Potandon Produce are in full-swing at the company’s key packing facility in Arizona, owned by Pinto Creek Company. The strategic alliance between the two companies, established in 2002, has proven instrumental to the year-round availability of Potandon’s specialty potatoes (such as Klondike Rose® and Klondike Goldust®), as the Arizona season bridges the gap between the Idaho and Washington seasons for these varieties.
While it may seem odd to grow potatoes in the sweltering Arizona sun, it can be quite successful when conditions are right. Combine a moderate temperature during planting with a really warm growing season and moderate harvest temperatures, and you’re likely to get a good crop. After an early freeze in February, this year’s weather has been ideal for good quality and average to above-average yields.
Pinto Creek attributes their success in growing, packing, and shipping quality potatoes in Arizona to growing in various locations in the Phoenix Metro area, tightly managing harvest schedules, hydrocooling the product, and an environmentally controlled packing facility. Steve Elfering, Vice President of Operations for Potandon, echoes these sentiments, noting that the key to maintaining high quality throughout the packing process is to closely monitor the potatoes’ temperature. “The hydrocooling not only effectively removes the field heat from freshly harvested potatoes,” says Elfering, “but it also helps manage the potatoes’ temperature throughout the packing process.”
Temperature management has become much easier for Pinto Creek since completion of its state-of-the-art facility in Eloy, AZ in 2009. The predominantly computer-run plant is 55,000 square feet, with 25,000 square feet of cold room space. It also features a complete variable speed conveyor system and sensory equipment, both of which contribute to Pinto Creek’s ability to size their potatoes into tighter specifications than the USDA standards. This, in turn, helps Potandon to better support its customers.
About Potandon Produce L.L.C.
Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Potandon Produce is the largest marketer of fresh potatoes and one of the largest marketers of fresh onions in North America. Potandon holds the exclusive licensing rights to the Green Giant® brand for fresh potatoes and onions, and is able to provide year-round supply to any size retail, foodservice, or wholesale customer. Potandon is also an industry leader in food safety and in bringing innovative products to the market. Visit www.potandon.com to learn more about Potandon, and Potandon’s consumer website, www.klondikebrands.com, to learn more about the company’s distinctive potato varieties. To learn more about the Green Giant® Fresh program visit www.greengiantfresh.com.
Green Giant, the Giant character and related words and designs are trademarks of General Mills – used under license. ©2011 General Mills
About Pinto Creek Company L.L.C.
Pinto Creek Company was founded by Robert Layton in the early 1980s with a chip potato growing operation. The company first grew fresh potatoes in Queen Creek, AZ in 1989 and began its co-packer relationship with Green Giant® Fresh a year later. This co-packer arrangement has evolved over time into an exclusive marketing relationship with Potandon Produce. Pinto Creek Company traditionally harvests between late April and the end of June and ships out of storage in July. The company is currently managed by 6th generation Arizona Farmers David Layton, Brian Layton, and Kase Rothlisberger.
Source: Potandon Produce L.L.C.
