Tom Burfield

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The company is upgrading the packing facility at its flagship warehouse in Idaho Falls with new artificial intelligence sorting equipment for red and yellow potatoes.
Total grocery store fresh potato sales were up 3% last year to about 4.8 billion pounds, according to Potatoes USA.
Cold weather and some light rain in February have affected early numbers for the crop, but growers expect things to pick up relatively soon.
Fourth-generation family farm operator Loren Estad and potato pathology research specialist Dean Peterson were recently honored by the organization.
The system can be controlled on-site from touch screens at the front of the room or a centralized PC with optional remote access via smartphones.
Harvest already is underway for some growers, and others are expected to start clipping onions by mid-March.
Groundbreaking on the production site is expected this year, with the first phase of the project representing a $450 million investment.
Along with its grape program, the company offers a variety of produce including hard and soft squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, peppers and watermelons.
With plenty of fruits and vegetables heading to the U.S., companies spoke with The Packer about crop quality and program outlooks.
With the year starting with slower sales, suppliers on the Ontario Food Terminal are ready for business to pick up.