(Reedley, CA) Family Tree Farms is putting the finishing touches on their expanded blueberry packing facility just in time for the start of their harvest season. Once packing ended in June last year, the company began work on a complete overhaul of the existing facility. Interior walls came down allowing them to nearly triple the square footage. Awaiting the blueberries this year is a glistening 48ºF clean room with polished concrete floors, t-bar ceiling, fluorescent lighting, and a whole host of new sorting and packing equipment.
Although Family Tree Farms is relatively new to the blueberry industry, with 2011 being their fifth season, they are already a major supplier of early California berries and the first with any significant volume. “Timing is important and we definitely want to hit that window immediately after Chile.” states David Jackson, owner of Family Tree Farms. “But our top goal, and one we’re succeeding at, is developing a flavor profile that is above and beyond anything the consumer has ever tasted. Delighting the consumer is what will drive our growth in blueberries.”
Location has been one key element in the success of Family Tree Farms’ blueberry program. They have grown early season stone fruit on the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley for nearly two decades. They speculated that the same climate conditions that make for early, flavorful stone fruit would produce similar results with blueberries. “The winters are always warmer here than on the valley floor,” stated Jackson “which means the bushes are nearly evergreen. We’ve also placed about a third of the acreage for each variety under plastic tunnels. That creates about a 15 degree bump in temperature, which over time equates to about a 2-3 week gain at harvest time.” Jackson added that they are testing many new cultural practices to stay ahead of the curve. “We may be the new kids on this block but we’re already being imitated in many of our practices. Nothing stays secret for very long in this business so our determination to stay in front is what keeps us sharp.”
Looking at a 30% increase in production over 2010, the installation of the new production lines will enable Family Tree Farms to maintain a tight harvest-to-shipment timeline. Six cleaning and sorting lines are equipped with soft sorting technology and punch belt sizing. With this sizing capability, Family Tree Farms will be able to offer a jumbo pack for the first time this year. Five weight-fill packing lines capable of filling up to 180 4.4oz clamshells per minute, and one volume fill line round out the packing upgrades.
Source: Family Tree Farms
