Our Cal Sun Grower Services team is hard at work harvesting tomatoes for our three Morning Star tomato processing factories. They typically start within the first few weeks of July and run 24/7 until the first few weeks of October.
Colleagues gathered to celebrate our Morning Star – Williams’ 25th anniversary! As the largest tomato processing factory in the world (with a processing capacity of 1,353 tons of tomatoes per hour), it took an amazing team and unwavering dedication to excellence to get this factory built!
AMITOM (Association Méditerranéenne Internationale de la Tomate) countries expect to process 26.3% of global processed tomato products. After experiencing a decrease in total production in 2018 (down to 34.8 million mT from 37.7 in 2017), the global forecast is expected to return to 2017 levels.
The 2019 processing tomato crop will prove to be another interesting challenge for farmers as the harvesting and processing season approaches. While California received ample rainfall, which provided the state with a generous snow pack, plantings were delayed due to the seemingly beneficial water supply.
Eric’s Mission at Morning Star is to provide world-class technical support to Morning Star and affiliates in the development of new or imported products and processes, including validating and executing all aspects from concept to commercialization in an admirable and ethical manner.
Morning Star has always enjoyed experimenting with new and different applications for alternative tomato products. In August, we invited a group of Colombian chefs to work with some unique tomato products, specifically green tomato products. Hopefully we’ll see these innovative new food trends in restaurants and food products in the future!
Tara’s Mission at Morning Star is ensuring that colleagues achieve the most positive and productive experiences with Self-Management by actively training and working with colleagues to build human resources that they will be able to utilize to achieve their own personal commercial missions.
AMITOM (Association Méditerranéenne Internationale de la Tomate) represents approximately 40% of global production, accounting for 13.528 million mT in 2018. Processing areas were mostly affected by lower than average yields, weather challenges, and reduced surfaces planted.
The 2018 season is now one for the history books. While California tonnage increased from 2017 levels, the real star of the season was a record 52.5 tons per acre, up from 47.1 in 2017, setting a new efficiency record for California. The average may have been even higher, due to some contracted acres not being harvested. Organic tons also increased by over 90,000 tons from 2017 for a total of 523,312 tons in 2018.
Julian Patino (better known as JJ) began his career as an intern with Anheuser-Busch before they were purchased by Inbev. This internship led JJ to become an independent engineering services consultant. Having been drawn to the food and beverage industry from the start, he consulted for Nestle, Sugar Foods Corporation, Sara Lee Bakery, Blue Diamond Almonds, and others.
AMITOM (Association Méditerranéenne internationale de la Tomate) represents 42.5% of global processing volumes and is expected to produce roughly 9% less tomato product than their 2017 crop, contributing the most to the overall global processing forecast’s decline.
The 2018 processing season is upon us. Growers and processors alike expect the 2018 season to be stronger than 2017 in terms of growing conditions. The mild temperatures enjoyed this spring by California plants allowed better growth than last year. In addition to better climate conditions, disease and pest pressures have declined.
Lawrence was first introduced to Morning Star while working with Growers Transplanting, Inc (GTI). His mission at Morning Star is to efficiently provide tomatoes to Morning Star’s processing facilities through Cal Sun’s logistics, transplanting and harvesting operations in an environmentally and ethically responsible manner.
