McCall Farms Makes Changes to Reduce Emissions, Save Energy

EFFINGHAM, S.C., June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McCall Farms, maker of popular canned vegetable brands Margaret Holmes^® and Glory Foods^®, has initiated changes to its packaging system that significantly reduce its environmental impact by using less paper and energy. Total savings can be measured by a reduction of more than a million pounds of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere each year at its Effingham, S.C., facility.

"Anytime we can reduce our carbon footprint we feel a responsibility as a company to do so," says McCall Farms Sales Director Woody Swink. "These changes may not be ones our customers would even notice, but we feel it's worth the investment to strive to be more sustainable, which is a continuing effort here at McCall Farms."

Swink says the changes the company is making will result in the equivalent conservation of nearly 5,000 trees, two million gallons of water and 46,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year.

Modifications are being made to the corrugated boxes and trays that are used to ship three different sizes of canned products. The facility produces millions of cans of food a year under brands such as Margaret Holmes^®, Bruce's Yams^®, Glory Foods^® and Peanut Patch^®.

The changes include replacing a box with a tray for the 98 oz. cans, and reducing the size of the trays used for the 15 oz. and 28 oz. cans. The company has also upgraded its packaging equipment, purchased new machines for the label lines and retrained employees who work on these lines. A company spokesperson says it's an investment that will pay off in energy savings.

The modifications at the Effingham, S.C., packaging facility began in April and should be completed by the end of the year.

About McCall Farms
McCall Farms has been growing food for more than 170 years. The company cultivates and cans a variety of produce, much of which is grown on its 2,000-acre farm in Effingham, S.C. Farmers in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina grow crops on an additional 15,000 acres for McCall Farms. McCall Farms produces more than 40 different products under the Margaret Holmes^®, Glory Foods^®, Bruce's Yams^® and Peanut Patch^® brands, as well as private-label and foodservice products, which are sold nationwide.

For more information, visit www.mccallfarms.com, www.gloryfoods.com, www.yamright.com, www.margaretholmes.com and www.peanutpatchboiledpeanuts.com.

To find these brands on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/MargaretHolmesFresh, www.facebook.com/GloryFoods, www.facebook.com/bruces.yams and www.facebook.com/peanutpatch.

SOURCE McCall Farms