CASTROVILLE, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2010) — Ocean Mist Farms is completing the expansion of its Baja Mist production facility in order to increase its Mexico-grown product offerings. The facility is located in the Mexicali Valley of Mexico.
When completed in January, the plant will have double the capacity to process and ship Ocean Mist products including iceless green onions, Brussels sprouts, leeks and radishes along with other future items.
The facility will mirror the company’s U.S. operations from a processing and food safety standpoint, said Ocean Mist Farms Vice President of Production Troy Boutonnet.
So far, 90 percent of all ancillary buildings, docks (receiving and loading), and new additions are completed.
Customer demand for green onions and Brussels sprouts exceeded Ocean’s Mist current capacity, Boutonnet said.
In the latest 52-weeks ending Aug. 28, 2010, Brussels sprouts sales increased 12.5% nationally compared to the prior year, bringing average sales to $62 per- store-per-week (Source: Perishables Group FreshFacts).
The state of the art, highly innovative cooler design is patterned after many years of existing green onion processing facility observations leading to design innovations addressing product quality, shelf life and product food safety and security, Boutonnet said.
“Our design greatly exceeds the current industry standards for product risk management,” Boutonnet said. “We want this facility to be a showcase for all green onion producers regardless of the location.”
Source: Ocean Mist Farms