Parripak Foods reap the benefits of root crop plant investment

Specialist grower and processor, Bedfordshire-based Parripak Foods, made an extremely timely investment in plant in 2006 and are now set to reap the benefits.

[UKPRwire, Wed May 30 2007] The soaring July temperatures and drought conditions in 2006 have continued to play havoc with root crops, and according to the British Potato Council, provisional figures have estimated that overall potato production in Great Britain this season was down 5% on last year. Many growers and root crop specialists have suffered very low yields, which have inevitably led to a knock-on effect of short supplies and higher prices

However, one specialist grower and processor, Bedfordshire-based Parripak Foods, made an extremely timely investment in plant in 2006 and are now set to reap the benefits.

Joint managing director, James Parrish commented, “As part of a substantial 2-year investment programme, we built a state-of-the-art rapid chill store which houses humidity controlled rapid cooling intake fridges for root crops and brassicas. It was designed by a horticultural specialist, and includes a quality control office and weighbridge, and is capable of cooling 200 tonnes of product at a time.”

Parripak have also made considerable investment in root crop processing equipment to improve yields and crop utilisation from the neighbouring Farm – F.B. Parrish and Sons. They mainly grow popular varieties including maincrop Estima and Maris Piper, and early variety Premiere. In the summer months when they see more salad potato work come on, their main varieties will be Maris Peer, Charlotte and Nicola.

Added Parish, “Potatoes are now our largest volume line and the new potato processing line uses sophisticated technology, including optical grading. This investment has doubled our capacity on peeled output. We are now geared to high volume lines which can produce whole peeled, sliced, diced julienne and other cuts of potato, which means that we can provide food manufacturers with the varieties found in specific multiples.

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Parripak Foods Ltd was founded in 1987 as a diversification enterprise to a family business specialising in the growing and pre-packing of onions and shallots. The business quickly expanded and now produces a wide range of vegetables including carrots and potatoes, some of which are still grown on the farm, which means that the process is controlled from seed through to finished product.

For technical information contact James Parrish, Parripak’s joint managing director
Tel: +44 (0)1462 813279 E-mail sales@parripak.co.uk

For media information contact Val Jefferys, Ultimedia Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1767 601621 (ddl) E-mail: val@ultimediapr.co.uk

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