Central Produce joins COI
Central Produce joins COI
This summer, Central Produce Distributors, headquartered in Payette, ID, joined Certified Onions Inc. “This season, we’ll be fully ramped up and going,” General Manager Ray Burzota told The Produce News on Sept. 6.
Ray Burzota, general manager of Central Produce.Certified Onions Inc. members voluntarily undergo stringent testing for off-label pesticide use and random maximum residue levels. Pathogen testing is also available. Third-party auditing is performed at both the field and shed levels. “Most of the improvements are in the foodservice area,” Mr. Burzota said.
Looking at the current onion season, he said the harvest began on Aug. 15 and packing commenced five days later. “We’ve got some big stuff and some little stuff,” Mr. Burzota stated, adding that weather conditions were a factor in 2012. “This spring was pretty tough,” he stated. Although the company didn’t suffer any delays getting onions planted, summer heat was another matter. “It took a toll on the crops,” Mr. Burzota commented. Overall, he expects volume will be down approximately 20 percent this season.
The company works with 10 growers in the Treasure Valley who produce the Vaquero, Pandero and Granero onion varieties. Yellows comprise 85 percent of the company’s overall pack. Reds account for 10 percent of the manifest, and whites round out the balance. Production acreage has remained relatively stable.
“Ray’s Gold” is the company’s primary label. Mr. Burzota said Central Produce can also do private labeling and packing at customer request.
The company’s heaviest markets can be found east of Colorado, with the largest volume sold east of the Mississippi River to major metropolitan areas. Business along the West Coast and in the Los Angeles area continues to grow.