In 2015 for the first time a new organic produce line is being offered by Van Solkema Produce Inc., based in Byron Center, MI, according to Talbert Nething, the firm’s sales manager. The company’s initial organic offerings include cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash, as well as the hard squashes — butternut, acorn and spaghetti.

Also this season, Nething noted, “We’ve implemented a weight-embedded label program.” This means, for example, if a 12/3 (12-count, three-pack) zucchini weighs 23 ounces, a 23-ounce item-specific UPC code will be applied.

Tim Van Solkema stands with bales of cardboard at the packinghouse of Van Solkema Produce. This year the firm installed a corrugated cardboard baler that enables the firm to recycle more than 40,000 pounds of cardboard a month.“If the next package weighs 21 ounces net, a UPC code will be applied that is item specific for 21-ounce zucchini,” Nething said. “This allows retailers to market, display and sell packed items by the pound while getting paid by the ounce. It’s the best of all worlds — convenience to the consumer and it allows the retailers to sell packaged items by the pound while getting paid for every ounce the consumer receives. In the past a consumer may have bought a clamshell of tomatoes that is advertised and displayed in store as ‘one pound.’ However, the package may weigh 19 ounces due to the overage. This meant that the consumer received three ounces for free. With this new system, retailers will get paid for every ounce sold, while being able to advertise and display by the pound. This can increase revenue on packed items by 20 percent at no inconvenience to the retailer.”

In a third new development, Van Solkema this year is introducing new labels for its zucchini, corn and cabbage.

The company this year has also added a new corrugated baler to its Michigan warehouse. This bales more than 40,000 pounds of cardboard a month so it can be recycled and not go to a landfill, Nething said.

At Van Solkema, operations of have remained largely the same since an internal ownership change on April 3, 2015. On that date, the firm’s family patriarch, Jerry Van Solkema, announced that two of his sons, Todd and Tim, had assumed ownership of the Van Solkema operation in Michigan. Jerry Van Solkema owns and operates the facility in Glennville, GA, which continues with the name Van Solkema Produce Inc.

This June, Nething indicated that Van Solkema in Michigan is operating in the mode of “business as usual — from the daily business aspect.” He said that the younger generation may have a greater focus on serving retailers through retail packaging. “Not that the previous generations didn’t. But definitely the younger generation has placed a focus on value-added” products and is working with growers to provide produce that is best suited for the value-added market.

While Van Solkema handles produce from other growing areas, the firm will begin shipping Michigan sweet corn around July 20, Nething said. Sourcing from multiple areas provides “seamless” supplies for retailers as the seasons change.

Michigan cabbage was expected to begin June 16. Van Solkema is packing “more and more” cabbage that is overwrapped and placed in a display carton. Yellow squash and zucchini were to begin around June 28. These will be offered by Van Solkema in pouched or overwrapped trays, as well as more conventional packaging.

Michigan blueberries are expected to begin around July 4 and celery shipments will start around July 6.

July 10 is the expected first shipping date for Michigan cucumbers. Nething said the smaller cukes will be placed in extended-shelf life pouches and overwrap trays, while the 24-, 36- and super-sized cucumbers will be shipped in standard shipping cartons.

Van Solkema expects to begin shipping Michigan peppers in the third week of July, applying “more and more consumer packs for retail” for the peppers. Van Solkema began shipping Michigan radishes in late May.