In 1971 the newly formed Pacific Coast Producers purchased the Lodi plant along with facilities in Santa Cruz and Oroville from Stokely Van Camp. Pacific Coast Producers processed spinach, apricots, peaches and tomatoes in the Lodi plant from 1971 through the mid eighties when spinach production was discontinued.
In 1984 PCP closed its San Jose tomato facility and moved most of the production capacity to Lodi, doubling the output of tomato products. Tomato production grew over the years to the point where the Lodi facility could no longer fit all the required equipment.
In 2002 all tomato processing was relocated to PCP’s newly purchased plant in Woodland California. Apricot and peach processing has expanded since that time to the point where the Lodi plant is now the largest apricot canner in the United States.
Over the years the entire plant structures have been reconstructed leaving just the outer remnants of the original Foster and Woods plant as a reminder of our more than hundred year heritage. The Lodi Plant continues to focus on apricot and peach production with many “state of the art” and progressive processing systems to produce the highest quality finished product and exceed all safety, environmental and sustainability standards.
Lodi plant tour: apricots & peaches
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Ripe fruit is hand-picked and taken to our Lodi Plant within hours
Fruit is washed and sent though the sizer
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Peaches and apricots are pitted before peeling
An Optical Color Sorter detects pits and defects with high speed cameras.
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The fruit is then hand inspected by workers.
Peaches and apricots are then halved, sliced or diced and sorted into a variety of can sizes.
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Once canned they are sent to the giant pressure cookers and are cooked to ensure quality
Cans are then sent to our Distribution Center to await labeling and shipping
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