Pacific Coast Producers moves tomato operation - Newsline

Rural Cooperatives, Sept-Oct, 2002 by Patrick Duffey

Tomato growers around Woodland, Calif., are getting a boost this year with the opening of a newly refurbished processing plant, purchased earlier by Pacific Coast Producers (PCP) from Del Monte. The 40-acre operation had been closed during the 2001 season. In moving its entire tomato processing operation from Lodi to Woodland, PCP significantly will cut its transportation costs. "All of our growers are now within a 20-mile radius of Woodland," said President Larry Clay. He called the move "a great opportunity for the cooperative."

Tonnage is expected to climb from 350,000 tons a year to 510,000 tons. PCP is the third largest processor and marketer of canned peaches, pears, apricot and fruit cocktail mix nationwide and the leading supplier of canned tomato products.