November/December 2024 - 16

PISTACHIOS
" We keep cases sealed with
inner poly liner until ready to use, "
Zion said. " We constantly monitor
our product and make sure our
pistachios are kept in optimal
conditions allowing for prompt
shipments to our global customers. "
Methods are in place to ensure
timely, safe delivery to customers
and Meridian strives to keep growers
and processors informed throughout
the marketing season.
" Our logistics team works very
closely with our production team to
ensure shipments go out as soon as
loads are produced, " Zion said. " They
pre-book and schedule ahead as much
as possible, making sure to fumigate
as close to shipment as possible to
reduce any chance of infestation. "
Once on the water, shipments are
monitored by Meridian for any delays.
Because it hulls, dries and processes
simultaneously, the company's almonds
are first on the market with the newest
and freshest pistachios, Zion said.
The experience and can-do
attitude of Meridian's owners helps
the company resolve issues and
maintain operational efficiencies.
" Meridian Growers, as a company
and several of our employees, are
members of industry associations
so that we can stay connected with
our fellow colleagues and engage
and share knowledge, " Zion said.
" We also attend local agriculture
events when available. Our team
has been involved with APG
(American Pistachio Growers) since
the beginning and will continue to
support their activities. "
To stay engaged with its
community, Meridian has sponsored
various scholarships and has
undertaken several projects at Cal
Poly SLO benefiting students from
multiple disciplines, offering them
real-life experiences at the company.
" We are committed to being
involved in our local community,
especially any program that benefits
students, and expanding educational
opportunities, " Zion said.
Meridian's leadership recognizes
that caring for the land it uses is its
top responsibility, which is why the
16 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
company has implemented procedures to avoid
the depletion of natural resources.
" One of the ways we do this is by utilizing
solar power to offset our energy usage at our
facility and for our wells and shops, " Zion
said. " We are also exploring ways to convert
harvest by-products into renewable energy.
Additionally, we continue to educate our
growers on regenerative farming practices
and how they can benefit their bottom line. "
With a goal to expand its grower base and
take advantage of new markets, Meridian
continues to forge ahead with fresh ideas
and increase operations.
In the fall of 2024, Meridian was
completing its second phase of
construction that will take the company
from 25 million pounds of production
capacity to 50 million pounds. The entire
project took less than eight months.
" Additionally, we are adding
pasteurizing, roasting and brining
capabilities for 2025, allowing us to
better serve our domestic customers
as well as our overseas customers
that require this type of product, "
Zion said. " We are also expanding
our value-added business
through our partnership with
The Pistachio Factory, which
will allow us to offer pistachio
butter, paste, etc. "
The strategy for the year
ahead is the same as it has been
since inception - continual
improvement in processing,
expanding markets, expanding
throughput and getting more
involved in the value-added
ingredient business.
" Nuts - pistachio
kernels in particular -
are moving beyond
just snacking and are
being used in new
innovative ways as
an ingredient, " Zion
said. " One way we
are tapping into this
new change is by
adding a sheller
so that we can
produce more
kernels to meet
this growing
demand of
the industry. "
November/December 2024

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