Potato Packing Shed
5235 North Industrial Way
Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 542-1604
Fax: (509) 544-9004
Watch through aerial drone footage and video as Easterday potatoes are planted, matured, harvested and packed for distribution. See the growing processes, starting with small potato seeds to the final stages preceding harvest. You'll also get a glimpse of our fresh potato facility in Pasco, Washington, and view our modern packing system in action.
Potato Warehouses
In 2010 we built a 90,000-square-foot potato packing house close to our onion operation in Pasco, Washington. This facility includes 30,000 square feet of cooler space with dock seals to ensure cool chain shipping. We offer Norkota Russets, varieties of yellow and red potatoes of which are all grown and packed by Easterday Farms Produce Company. The warehouse and packing line use the latest in technology to sort, grade, pack and palletize potatoes efficiently and safely.
Washing
In our separate and isolated receiving area we utilize a Wyma wash system to ensure the potatoes are clean prior to entering the sizing, grading and packing areas. This system includes initial inspection area, a wet hopper separator and scrub beds. Potatoes are dried using an air knife.
Size and Sorted
We employ the latest technology available to optically size, grade and sort the potatoes. Three Newtec Celox grading and sizing machines inspect the potatoes using high performance cameras and specialized software providing very precise grades, sizes and quality. The information obtained determines the exact length, diameter, and surface condition of the potato. Once the potato specification has been determined, it falls gently onto a cross conveyor directly to its destination.
Safety
The packing house is fully PTI (Produce Traceability Initiative) compliant. We are also GHP/USDA (Good Handling Practices) certified and third party certified through Primus Lab GFS.
Packing
We are a commit-to-pack facility, resulting in potatoes that are packed directly into cartons, poly bags and mesh sacks with minimal handling to improve quality and shelf life.
Automatic Palletizing
Our pallets are automatically palletized using specialized equipment from United States and Holland. These machines produce a pallet superior to any stacked by hand and reduces tedious labor. This machine stacks the bags in a four-sided box to the designated pallet height. Once completed, the pallet moves on a track to an automatic wrapper, where it is tightly bound with a breathable mesh material or straps. This process results in a hardy pallet of potatoes that can now withstand transit to its final destination.