Live Oak Farms installs new pepper packing line

La Grand, Calif.-based Live Oak Farms is finishing installation of a new pepper packing line — a project that had been in development for a couple of years, said Ed Beckman, chief operating officer.

The new line features Aweta Advanced Vision 3D technology from the Netherlands, Beckman said.

“We’ve completely replaced and installed a new eight-lane system that is unique,” he said.

“You see a lot of pepper lines with camera systems, but we’re using completely separate camera system that focuses on defect on the front end and focuses on color and size on the back end. There are two different camera systems that are unique to the task.”

The new system will be ready when Live Oak starts running peppers in mid- to late June, Beckman said.

Live Oak also is adding jalapeño peppers for certain retail customers this year, Beckman said.

“We look at partnerships with our customers, and one thing we’ve been hearing is there is a need for California-grown jalapeños for retailers that are focusing on locally grown imaging,” he said.

Live Oak should have peppers through early November, Beckman said.