Onions Marketing business updates

Keystone invests in packing lines

Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc., Greencastle, Pa., has invested $750,000 to automate its onion packing, handling and palletizing capabilities at its packing facility in Walla Walla, Wash., said Dan Borer, general manager.

These systems are planned to be up and running before the Walla Walla onion season starts in late June.

Included in the update are automated filler machines to fill 50-pound onion bags and a palletizing machine. Borer said these will offer the company additional efficiencies and less concerns about labor shortages.

Keystone also added a new packing line this season in Peru for its Mayan Sweets, in a packinghouse it started using three to four years ago. The company added a new packing line in Mexico this season as well.

Peri & Sons runs BBQ Bloomer promo

Yerington, Nev.-based Peri & Sons Farms, has new packaging for its BBQ Bloomer onion promotion. The “grab-n-go” bag includes a spice blend packet, instructions for preparing the grilled blooming onion and information about the company’s portable grill consumer giveaway.

“We will continue our sweet BBQ Bloomer onion promotion beginning in June,” said Jessica Peri, retail sales manager for Peri & Sons. “It’s great for Fourth of July or any other outdoor-grilling promo our retailers are planning. This is an in-and-out program with a fun display and packaging around a super colossal onion — a unique size that consumers will find interesting.”

River Point adds packaging capacity

Hermiston, Ore.-based River Point Farms is adding more packaging capacity to its current pack facility line, as well as building a separate building with a specialized line for sweet and other onions, said Carly Kwak-Bauch, vice president of sales.

“We also are growing more yellow organic onions this year,” she said. “We will have both processed and packed organic yellows available beginning in October.”

Wada Farms offers Euro boxes

Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC has started offering a 40-pound display-ready Euro-style box. The box can be stacked and folded to open the top.

“These boxes are nice because they require less preparation from retailers. They are ready to go on the shelf,” said John Vlahandreas, onion sales manager for Wada Farms.

Vlahandreas said Euro boxes were popular around 10 to 15 years ago and now appear to be making a comeback.