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VIRTUAL TOUR - FROM FARM TO OUR CUSTOMERS
4. 5 Stage packing
process:
5) Processed at the shipping department the tomatoes are wrapped in plastic film wrap to secure them for their ride to the customer. In some instances the pallets of tomatoes will be sealed in plastic bags so that they will retain their temperature. This allows us to lower the temperature of a truck to accommodate other produce such as peppers or cucumbers which require a lower temperature without hurting the tomatoes.
6). Tomatoes are loaded onto Thomas Colace Company's own air-ride trucks and delivered to our customers.
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1. Incoming
trucks: Thomas Colace Company has a fleet of
trucks that pick up their tomatoes from all parts of the country. The
drivers of these trucks handle tomatoes all through out the year. They
understand the importance of a smooth ride so as not to bruise the fruit.
Tomatoes are like people, sometimes taking several days for a bruise to
come out. So it is important that they are handled properly. Our trucks
are equipped with air-ride which allows the smoothest ride possible. Our
drivers report the condition of the tomatoes to the buyer at least once
a day. This allows the buyer to adjust the temperatures in the truck
so the tomatoes will ripen to the finest quality possible. 
2.
Unloading and Inspection: When
the tomatoes arrive at Thomas Colace Company they are inspected to make
sure they exceed not only USDA requirements but Thomas Colace Company's
as well. At this time tomatoes are checked for proper temperature, grade
defects and physical condition. Tomatoes that meet our high standards
are received into our inventory.
3.
Ripened in our facility: Once the tomatoes are received
into our facility they are kept in a temperature controlled room that
is set specifically for the load that is in the room. Different types
of tomatoes require specific temperatures in order to ripen to the highest
possible quality. These tomato rooms are checked 4 to 5 times daily to
make sure the temperature of the room is proper to the condition of the
tomatoes inside the room. 
a.
All tomatoes are purchased with the individual specifications of each
customer in mind. Each day the Quality Assurance Manager meets with
the Plant Foreman and they determine which lots of tomatoes will be
used to pack the individual orders of the day. 
c.
Employees hand pack individual cases
of tomatoes based upon specifications given to them by the Foreman.
Employee will continue that level of packing until specifications are
changed by the Foreman. 
d.
At this time the Line Supervisor will check each box to make sure that
it is packed to the proper specifications. He or she will also weigh
the package on a digital scale that is accurate to 1/100 of a pound.
e.
The finished pallet of tomatoes is then brought to the Foreman for a
final quality check. If the Forman approves the tomatoes for delivery
they will proceed to the shipping area. If the tomatoes fail his inspection,
they will be put back into the packing lines and repacked until the
Plant Forman is satisfied that they meet the customers specifications.
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