“In February 2015, we broke ground for a brand new Medjool date packing facility,” says Tony Somohano with Double Date Packing. The facility doors opened in July of last year. Double Date has been growing dates in California’s Coachella Valley for about 10 years and used to work with different packing houses in the area. “Building our own plant enables us to provide our customers with a more uniform product as this facility provides for optimal sorting capability,” shared Somohano. In addition to clean packing areas, the facility also includes large freezers and cold storage. The machinery was built in Italy, and software was developed in the Netherlands.
According to Somohano, it is the newest date packing plant that was built in Coachella in the past 30 years.
Year-round shipment
Medjool dates are harvested in the fall, but Double Date is able to ship them year-round as they are kept in the freezer at a temperature of -18⁰C. As soon as they leave the freezer and get packed, they have up to 90 days on the shelf.
New packaging
Double Date Packing offers its Medjool dates in five different grades: Jumbo, Large, Extra Fancy, Fancy and Confection grade. They are mainly sold in 5 kg/11 lb boxes, but the company is also able to pack in 2 kg. and 2.27 kg. bulk boxes as well as 1 kg. pundits/clamshells. Double Date also designed a new bulk box. The corners were strengthened. “As a result, the traditional dividers, that can damage the date, are no longer needed. This box is 30 percent stronger,” mentioned Somohano.
Increasing visibility
Medjool dates are gaining increased culinary visibility around the world. They are a great source of iron, protein and fiber. The fruit also contains vitamins A, B, C and D. In addition, dates have a low glycemic index, are low in sodium and are cholesterol- and fat-free. Because of increasing interest, Somohano sees opportunities to export his dates to Europe, the Middle East, Australia and some countries in Asia.
See below a video of Double Date Packing and its brand new facility.
