Sweet Clover introduces 25-pound carton for Red Wing onions
Sweet Clover introduces 25-pound carton for Red Wing onions
A new 25-pound carton for Washington state's famed Red Wing variety of onions is finding good reception from high-end foodservice customers, according to Bill (Sweet Willie) Brownfield of Sweet Clover Produce.
From his Walla Walla, WA, office, Mr. Brownfield told The Produce News that the new carton provides better protection for the onions, and in addition to the Red Wings grown by Grigg & Sons in Quincy, WA, the box will be used to ship sweets and yellows.
"We introduced the carton for the Red Wing variety, which will be available through May's new crop," Mr. Brownfield said. The reds have an especially high percentage of single centers, he noted, making them a favorite of foodservice. They also see good movement at retail.
As the Red Wing season hums along, Sweet Clover is "still shipping a tremendous amount of yellow sweets out of storage," Mr. Brownfield added. The sweets, grown by Grigg & Sons, are expected to last through February.
While the majority of its onions are grown in the Pacific Northwest -- including reds, whites, yellows and sweets grown by Grotz Bros. in Hermiston, OR, and Walla Walla Sweets grown by Bud Locati in Walla Walla -- Sweet Clover also handles Vidalia onions starting in mid-April. The year- round supplies of domestic onions are all produced in strict adherence to food-safety protocol and are third-party audited.
"Our water is from mountain snowpack," Mr. Brownfield said of the Northwest onions. "And all our water is tested by a third party. Food safety is top priority with our growers, and we provide excellent product consistently throughout the year."
The packingshed has been certified for Good Agricultural Practices, and Mr. Brownfield said that Sweet Clover's growing-shipping operation adheres to "all regulations and has excellent traceback capabilities."
In addition to the new 25-pound carton and its longstanding ability to pack for retail in consumer bags and cartons, Sweet Clover also provides 2,000- pound bulk bags for foodservice. The company offers peeled reds, whites and yellows as well.
This year, Sweet Clover has i-trade computer software. Mr. Brownfield's son, Patrick, has joined the company as transportation coordinator and is working the organic deal as well.
The younger Mr. Brownfield said that he has not encountered any difficulty in transportation, noting, "I've been finding good rates and plenty of trucks." Additionally, Sweet Clover ships by rail, utilizing the cross-country service provided by Railex out of Walula, WA.
The company packs under the "Sweet Clover," "Columbia Pride," "White Tiger," "Basin Best" and "Quincy Queen" labels.
From his Walla Walla, WA, office, Mr. Brownfield told The Produce News that the new carton provides better protection for the onions, and in addition to the Red Wings grown by Grigg & Sons in Quincy, WA, the box will be used to ship sweets and yellows.
"We introduced the carton for the Red Wing variety, which will be available through May's new crop," Mr. Brownfield said. The reds have an especially high percentage of single centers, he noted, making them a favorite of foodservice. They also see good movement at retail.
As the Red Wing season hums along, Sweet Clover is "still shipping a tremendous amount of yellow sweets out of storage," Mr. Brownfield added. The sweets, grown by Grigg & Sons, are expected to last through February.
While the majority of its onions are grown in the Pacific Northwest -- including reds, whites, yellows and sweets grown by Grotz Bros. in Hermiston, OR, and Walla Walla Sweets grown by Bud Locati in Walla Walla -- Sweet Clover also handles Vidalia onions starting in mid-April. The year- round supplies of domestic onions are all produced in strict adherence to food-safety protocol and are third-party audited.
"Our water is from mountain snowpack," Mr. Brownfield said of the Northwest onions. "And all our water is tested by a third party. Food safety is top priority with our growers, and we provide excellent product consistently throughout the year."
The packingshed has been certified for Good Agricultural Practices, and Mr. Brownfield said that Sweet Clover's growing-shipping operation adheres to "all regulations and has excellent traceback capabilities."
In addition to the new 25-pound carton and its longstanding ability to pack for retail in consumer bags and cartons, Sweet Clover also provides 2,000- pound bulk bags for foodservice. The company offers peeled reds, whites and yellows as well.
This year, Sweet Clover has i-trade computer software. Mr. Brownfield's son, Patrick, has joined the company as transportation coordinator and is working the organic deal as well.
The younger Mr. Brownfield said that he has not encountered any difficulty in transportation, noting, "I've been finding good rates and plenty of trucks." Additionally, Sweet Clover ships by rail, utilizing the cross-country service provided by Railex out of Walula, WA.
The company packs under the "Sweet Clover," "Columbia Pride," "White Tiger," "Basin Best" and "Quincy Queen" labels.
