The new facility has been commissioned under the GFI's distribution centre to offer an efficient operation with retail packaging and order fulfilment at the same location
The retail packaging plant will help in the production of pillow bags, pouches and boxes. (Credit: Kier in Sight on Unsplash)
Canada-based Global Food and Ingredients (GFI) has installed a new retail packaging line at its distribution centre in North Carolina, US.
The retail packaging plant now has three production lines capable of packaging products in pillow bags, pouches and boxes.
The new facility has been commissioned under the GFI’s distribution centre to offer an efficient operation with retail packaging and order fulfilment at the same location. It will also aid in its expansion into foodservice and retail channels.
GFI has successfully finished the first round of production and delivery of its bagged North Lily product.
The addition of new retail packaging capabilities will help the company’s integrated farm-to-fork strategy, the company said.
GFI purchases goods from more than 500 farmers in Western Canada, processes them at one of its three facilities that are fit for human consumption. The plant-based company then sends the goods to a distribution centre in the US for packaging and distribution to foodservice and retail outlets.
Using its advanced pea-splitting factory, the company produces split yellow and green peas in addition to entire plant-based products for distribution.
GFI CEO David Hanna said: “The retail packaging line will support our expansion initiatives into foodservice and retail channels with both our North Lily branded products and private label opportunities.
“These capabilities provide a link between our locally sourced raw materials and distribution direct to end customers channels.”
In a separate development, the firm’s US subsidiary North Lily Foods has been granted approved vendor status with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The approved vendor status will allow North Lily to access to submit offers to support USDA’s solicitations and prevailing initiatives.
GFI’s subsidiary has already received a USDA tender for Kosher-certified beans for the school system.
Hanna added: “This is an exciting announcement and validation of GFI and North Lily’s position as a preferred vendor in the food and agricultural sector.
“Being selected as an approved vendor of the USDA brings us great pride and we hope to be a major contributor of high-quality plant-based ingredients to support the various initiatives at the USDA.”