<p>Grower Direct recently held its annual OG Packing grower open house where it connected with its growers and displayed the latest in high-tech cherry sorting machinery.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img width="500px" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/growers_at_sorter_l.jpg" alt="Grower Direct Hosts Open House for OG Packing Growers" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"OG Packing invented the cluster-cutter and roller-sizer before I was born and now we usher in a new generation of technology. Growing up in this business, who could have dreamed that there would be cameras taking 30 pictures of each individual cherry as it passes through the line - this technology is absolutely amazing," commented 4th generation grower/packer Tom Gotelli.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img width="500px" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/tom_talking_with_growers_l.jpg" alt="Grower Direct Hosts Open House for OG Packing Growers" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Every year, during the beginning of the season, OG brings its growers into the facility to see the latest upgrades, hear market forecasts, and talk with staff about the upcoming harvest. According to a press release, a fantastic lunch was prepared by grower/partner Dennis Gogna.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">OG also debuted the largest optical cherry sorting system in the United States. The Unitec sorting system has 72 sorting lanes and an increase in the number of box fillers, which will ensure that each cherry has the opportunity to run on the most updated technology in the world. The system is capable of processing a large amount of fruit at a very high speed, thus keeping the cold chain intact from hydrocooling in the field to delivery to the customers, all while maintaining consistent size and color in each box delivered.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img width="500px" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/ws_new_line_l.jpg" alt="Grower Direct Hosts Open House for OG Packing Growers" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"As consumers become more educated about fresh cherries, these machines ensure that our retail partners receive a high quality box that is consistent in size, color and flavor," said Jim Hanson, Managing Partner of Grower Direct Marketing.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The wonderful new machines will help Grower Direct offer superior consistency of quality to all of its retail customers.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.growerdirect.net/" target="_new"> Grower Direct </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
