Processing Plant Will Increase Capacity
The design is approved, permits have been issued and construction contracts are signed.
Last month marked the ground breaking for the new GoldRiver Orchards processing plant, to be located about two miles east of Escalon, CA on Highway 120. The facility when completed, will double the company’s existing walnut processing capability to approximately 30 million pounds per year and replace the existing plant located on East River Road in Oakdale, CA. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2013.
With the new 85,000 sq. ft. processing plant and warehouse facility, GoldRiver Orchards will employ 75 to 80 people during the peak of the processing season. The plant will include some of the latest processing equipment technology, enabling GoldRiver to increase production, provide consistent product quality and maintain the highest food safety standards.
The plant will process the Barton walnut crop from its ranches in Escalon, Ripon and Farmington. It will also process the harvest from a group of other growers in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valley areas.
Walnut demand has increased dramatically in the past decade. In 2010, the California walnut harvest reached an all time record of 501,000 tons. The new facility will help GoldRiver Orchards serve expanding global markets, including increased demand from Turkey, Korea and China.