Ocean Mist uses StePac system for broccoli
Ocean Mist uses StePac system for broccoli
Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms has begun shipping its iceless broccoli with the patented StePac system.
The main benefits of the system are its capabilities in cooling and reducing moisture loss, said Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations for Ocean Mist.
He said that the system would improve Ocean Mist's year-round iceless broccoli program "for the customers that are accustomed to our rigid quality standards that we strictly adhere to with our artichoke and full vegetable product line."
The new system includes installation of programmable logic controllers, which precisely monitor quality at critical points throughout the cooling process, as well as a total packaging system that extends shelf life of the broccoli.
Mr. Pezzini said that Ocean Mist had been testing the system and considering using it for a year before committing to it.
The StePac cooling technology brings Ocean Mist the tools to measure and manage the iceless broccoli cooling process based on the varying core temperature of the product coming in from the field, Mr. Pezzini said.
The patented StePac-permeable film that lines each broccoli carton is designed specifically for broccoli and decreases condensation that can potentially cause decay in a conventional pack. The system measures and traces the entire cooling process. Typically, product temperatures vary coming in from the field, and conventional cooling practices treat all product in the same manner despite those varying product temperatures from the point of harvest.
Don Stidham, president of StePac USA, said that StePac takes the guesswork out of cooling and brings science to the cooling process, which is critical for the shelf life of iceless product.
You cant manage what isnt measured, Mr. Stidham said.
StePac packaging allows product to be field packed similarly to the conventional iced broccoli pack. With StePac, there is less labor and less handling than the conventional way of repacking iceless broccoli. The end result is a consistent pack and quality standard, Mr. Pezzini said.
Ocean Mist has invested in this licensed technology to improve our control over the quality pack we produce day in and day out, Mr. Pezzini said. He added that because Ocean Mist owns its cooling facilities, it has the ability to implement the technology and expertise that StePac brings to its program.
Mr. Pezzini said that Ocean Mist is experimenting with the StePac system on other processes, and that the same instrumentation can be used on items such as head lettuce and leaf lettuce.
The temperature-control system saves time in cooling, which means a savings in energy costs, Mr. Pezzini said.
Ocean Mist will harvest and cool its line of iceless broccoli year round with the StePac technology out of the Castroville and Coachella, CA, growing regions.
The main benefits of the system are its capabilities in cooling and reducing moisture loss, said Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations for Ocean Mist.
He said that the system would improve Ocean Mist's year-round iceless broccoli program "for the customers that are accustomed to our rigid quality standards that we strictly adhere to with our artichoke and full vegetable product line."
The new system includes installation of programmable logic controllers, which precisely monitor quality at critical points throughout the cooling process, as well as a total packaging system that extends shelf life of the broccoli.
Mr. Pezzini said that Ocean Mist had been testing the system and considering using it for a year before committing to it.
The StePac cooling technology brings Ocean Mist the tools to measure and manage the iceless broccoli cooling process based on the varying core temperature of the product coming in from the field, Mr. Pezzini said.
The patented StePac-permeable film that lines each broccoli carton is designed specifically for broccoli and decreases condensation that can potentially cause decay in a conventional pack. The system measures and traces the entire cooling process. Typically, product temperatures vary coming in from the field, and conventional cooling practices treat all product in the same manner despite those varying product temperatures from the point of harvest.
Don Stidham, president of StePac USA, said that StePac takes the guesswork out of cooling and brings science to the cooling process, which is critical for the shelf life of iceless product.
You cant manage what isnt measured, Mr. Stidham said.
StePac packaging allows product to be field packed similarly to the conventional iced broccoli pack. With StePac, there is less labor and less handling than the conventional way of repacking iceless broccoli. The end result is a consistent pack and quality standard, Mr. Pezzini said.
Ocean Mist has invested in this licensed technology to improve our control over the quality pack we produce day in and day out, Mr. Pezzini said. He added that because Ocean Mist owns its cooling facilities, it has the ability to implement the technology and expertise that StePac brings to its program.
Mr. Pezzini said that Ocean Mist is experimenting with the StePac system on other processes, and that the same instrumentation can be used on items such as head lettuce and leaf lettuce.
The temperature-control system saves time in cooling, which means a savings in energy costs, Mr. Pezzini said.
Ocean Mist will harvest and cool its line of iceless broccoli year round with the StePac technology out of the Castroville and Coachella, CA, growing regions.
