In a strategic technological upgrade, Twin City Foods is transforming its food processing capabilities, deploying cutting-edge optical sorting technology to redefine quality control in the frozen vegetable industry.
The Pasco, Washington-based company has invested in two advanced VERYX optical sorters from Key Technology, marking a significant leap in food processing precision. These sophisticated systems represent more than a mere equipment upgrade—they’re a response to increasingly demanding consumer expectations for food safety and quality.
“We’re not just sorting vegetables; we’re guaranteeing consumer trust,” said Dan Munko, Vice President of Operations at Twin City Foods. The company, a veteran in frozen vegetable processing since the 1940s, processes hundreds of millions of pounds of peas, corn, carrots, and green beans annually for global markets.
The VERYX B210 sorters, each capable of processing 40,000 pounds of vegetables per hour, utilize advanced technologies including off-axis cameras, laser sensors, and Pixel Fusion detection modules. These systems can identify and remove foreign materials ranging from metal and plastic to insects and extraneous vegetative matter with unprecedented accuracy.
“The precision is remarkable,” explained Raul Martinez, Division Manager at the Pasco facility. “We can now programmatically adjust sorting parameters for different crop varieties, grades, and growing conditions—all with the touch of a button.”
The technology addresses a critical challenge in vegetable processing: removing stems, pods, and husks that enter during harvesting. With configurable sorting “recipes” stored in each machine’s memory, Twin City Foods can now guarantee consistently high-quality products across variable incoming batches.
A standout feature is the RemoteMD system, enabling 24/7 diagnostic support. This allows Key Technology’s service technicians to troubleshoot and optimize sorting performance remotely, minimizing potential downtime.
The investment underscores a broader trend in food processing: leveraging advanced technologies to meet escalating consumer demands for safety, consistency, and quality. For Twin City Foods, this means the ability to offer customers unprecedented flexibility in product specifications.
“In today’s competitive landscape, technology isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity,” Munko noted. “These sorters allow us to provide a consistently superior product, which ultimately keeps our customers returning.”
As food processing becomes increasingly sophisticated, Twin City Foods’ technological leap suggests a future where precision, safety, and quality are not just goals, but standard operational expectations.