Eagle Eye Produce, an Idaho Falls, Idaho-based grower-packer-shipper of premium onions, has acquired the onion packing facilities previously operated by Baker & Murakami Produce Company in Ontario, Ore.
Known locally as the “super shed,” the operation features extensive automation, AI powered grading and sorting systems, and a track record of delivering consistent quality in the heart of the Pacific Northwest’s Treasure Valley, according to a release.
Baker & Murakami Produce Company formed when Murakami Produce and Baker Packing merged in 2017, combining the two company’s decades of experience. The company has been known for a strong commitment to quality, innovation and grower relationships, the release said.
“Baker & Murakami has earned a reputation as one of the most respected onion packers in the industry,” said Newman Giles, CEO of Eagle Eye Produce. “Bringing their team and operation into Eagle Eye Produce aligns with our commitment to strategic growth, expanding in the right regions, with the right people, and strengthening our year-round programs to better serve our growers and customers for years to come.”
The addition of Baker & Murakami complements Eagle Eye Produce’s existing operations in the Treasure Valley, including its facility in Nyssa, Ore., and its partnership with Central Produce in Payette, Idaho, with both locations offering full-service packing and shipping. Supported by a strong grower base, Eagle Eye Produce says this network creates an unparalleled supply and distribution capability in the Idaho and eastern Oregon onion growing region.
“After decades of commitment to our growers and customers, we are proud to pass the Baker & Murakami legacy to Eagle Eye Produce,” said Grant Kitamura, Jerry Baker, and Steve Baker, owners of Baker & Murakami Produce Company, in a joint statement. “We are confident that Eagle Eye will carry that legacy forward by building on the foundation we established and bringing a new level of innovation, sales expertise, and marketing strength to ensure continued success for everyone we’ve served.”
With onion crops planted, Eagle Eye Produce will begin shipping from the newly acquired facility at the start of the new onion season this summer.
“I’ve known and respected Jerry and Steve Baker since early in my career and have grown to have tremendous respect for the entire Baker & Murakami organization. This acquisition puts Eagle Eye in a substantially stronger position to meet growing demand across both foodservice and retail,” said Joe Ange, director of Onion Sales at Eagle Eye Produce. “By adding the facility and team in Ontario to our existing operations, we’re increasing capacity significantly, offering more packing flexibility, and ensuring a reliable, consistent supply for our customers.”
Eagle Eye Produce says the acquisition strengthens its commitment to delivering quality produce through its “Roots to Routes” approach, managing every step from growing to shipping and marketing.
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