US – Mann Packing Co. Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce, has upgraded its Snap pea program by acquiring two optical sorters dedicated solely to snap peas for US$2.5 million.
Mann Packing has a year-round growing season of stringless snap pea varieties. Currently, Mann Packing grows its snap peas in California and Mexico and is exploring Guatemalan and Peruvian sourcing to further grow its program.
The company is also exploring additional sourcing options in Guatemala and Peru that are within Fresh Del Monte’s global network
The vegetable division of Fresh Del Monte said it is investing heavily in its leading snap pea program intending to be a leader in the space.
Following a packaging redesign, Mann Packing Co. also revealed it will be relaunching its famous Stringless Sugar Snap Peas.
Stringless sugar snap peas are currently available across 12 states in the U.S. They can be purchased in 6-ounce, 8-ounce, 15-ounce, 24-ounce, and 32-ounce packages.
With the ability to enjoy them right out of the bag, they are a convenient option for both adults and kids. Vegetables provide a multitude of health benefits, yet due to taste preferences, lack of time, and access, nearly 90 percent of Americans don’t eat enough, the company noted.
Meanwhile, the new optical sorters have already been installed and allow Mann Packing to increase available snap pea volumes to the market and improve efficiency while further promoting the company’s commitment to quality control.
The upgraded optical sorters provide enhanced quality assurance analytics for each batch/lot while completing their main function of cross-checking snap peas that goes through the machine, rejecting any product that does not meet Mann’s quality standards.
The investment in the snap pea program comes shortly after Mann Packing announced it has officially completed the final stages of its integration as the vegetable division of Fresh Del Monte Produce – a move that allows Mann Packing to leverage Fresh Del Monte’s resources and infrastructure.
The final step as part of the 2018 acquisition by Fresh Del Monte includes the complete fusion of all teams, including sales, sales support, finance, logistics, sustainability/quality control, marketing, and innovation – all of which fall under the Fresh Del Monte network.
Mann Packing has five facilities across California. Its newest state-of-the-art facility, located in Gonzales, opened in 2021, handling both fruits and vegetables, with full-fledged automation.
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