What is Panoche Creek Packing, Inc.?

Panoche Creek Packing, Inc. operates as a privately-owned California almond handler specializing in the purchasing, processing, packing, and global distribution of California-grown almonds. According to industry documentation from 2022, the company handles approximately 170 million pounds of almonds annually sourced from about 40 huller-sheller operations throughout California. The company positions itself among the largest independent almond handlers in California, processing exclusively almonds with no diversification into other commodities.

The operation is headquartered in Fresno, California, with administrative offices at 3611 West Beechwood Avenue, Suite 101, and its primary processing facility located at 1221 South Madera Avenue in Kerman, California (Fresno County). The facility encompasses 500,000 square feet of storage and processing space. Panoche Creek functions as a full-service almond handler, purchasing almonds directly from California growers, processing them into natural, blanched, and in-shell products, and distributing to domestic and international buyers across multiple market segments including whole almond sales, confectionery applications, and snack food manufacturing.

Company materials document that Panoche Creek services buyers worldwide for year-round almond supply, with distribution infrastructure connecting to major California export ports including Oakland, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. The business model emphasizes grower relationships, financial stability, and consistent payment performance, with most new grower customers documented as arriving through referrals from existing clients.

Corporate Foundation

Panoche Creek Packing, Inc. was established in 1982 by the Blackburn family. Company materials document that partner Ross Blackburn's father founded the company, with Ross Blackburn growing up in the almond business within the family operation. The company has operated under continuous family leadership since founding, remaining privately held without outside ownership transitions documented in public sources.

The current ownership and management structure centers on two principal partners. Ross Blackburn serves as a partner handling almond sales operations, having been raised in the family almond business. Frank Roque joined Panoche Creek in 1997 as a field representative and advanced to partner status, currently serving as lead almond buyer and managing grower relationships. According to 2020 documentation, the executive team accumulated over 46 combined harvest seasons of experience in the almond industry as of that period.

The company became members of the Madera County Farm Bureau in 1996 and documented its 30th anniversary in 2012. Corporate administrative offices are located at 3611 West Beechwood Avenue, Suite 101, Fresno, California 93711, while processing operations are concentrated at the Kerman facility. The company operates as Panoche Creek Packing, Inc., a California corporation engaged in fruit and tree nut handling within the agricultural processing sector.

Production Infrastructure

Processing Facility

Panoche Creek Packing operates its primary almond processing facility in Kerman, California, at 1221 South Madera Avenue. According to 2022 industry reporting, the facility encompasses approximately 500,000 square feet of combined processing and storage space. The operation includes integrated capabilities for receiving, processing, sorting, packing, and warehousing almonds from field delivery through final shipment preparation.

The facility infrastructure includes optical sorting equipment, sizing machinery, blanching systems for skin removal, packing lines, cold storage warehouses, and fumigation capabilities for pest control compliance. Company materials indicate the facility has undergone expansion as processing volumes increased, enabling handling of both large orders and shorter lead-time requests. The Kerman location provides strategic positioning within California's primary almond-producing region in the San Joaquin Valley.

Processing Capacity and Operations

According to 2022 industry documentation, Panoche Creek accepts almonds from approximately 40 huller-sheller operations throughout California and handles an annual volume of approximately 170 million pounds of almonds. This positions the company among California's largest independent almond handlers by volume. The operation processes almonds received from contracted growers into multiple product forms including natural (skin-on), blanched (skin-removed), and in-shell products across various grades and sizes per USDA almond grading standards.

Processing methodology employs optical sorting technology combining cameras and laser systems for foreign material removal and defective almond culling. Company materials reference equipment from manufacturers including Satake (full color optical sorters) and Sortex (optical sorting systems), along with LMC sizing equipment utilizing vibratory shaker technology. The processing lines enable automated detection and removal of off-specification kernels, foreign materials, and surface defects at commercial throughput rates.

Supply Chain and Logistics

The company maintains relationships with approximately 40 huller-sheller facilities that provide the initial hulling and shelling of almonds received from grower orchards. Panoche Creek receives pre-hulled almonds in standardized wooden bins (4 feet x 4 feet dimensions) for further processing, sizing, sorting, and packing operations. Once almonds are processed to buyer specifications, the company delivers finished products to California export ports (Oakland, Los Angeles, Long Beach) for international shipments or directly to domestic buyers.

During periods of high inventory, the company has utilized external storage facilities. Documentation from 2022 indicates storage of 20 million pounds of almonds in supplemental space outside the primary Kerman facility due to supply chain delays affecting port shipments. The operation includes bin management, repair, and procurement to support handling requirements across harvest and shipping cycles.

Product Portfolio

Panoche Creek Packing processes and distributes California almonds in three primary product categories as documented in company materials and buyer communications:

Natural Almonds

Natural almonds are whole kernel almonds with brown skins intact, processed from California almond varieties including Nonpareil, Carmel, Butte, Padre, and other California types. Products are sized and graded according to USDA standards with multiple size specifications available. Natural almonds serve markets requiring whole almonds for further processing, snack food applications, confectionery use, and retail packaging. The company processes all major California almond varieties in natural form across the full range of USDA grade specifications from Fancy through Standard grades.

Blanched Almonds

Blanched almonds undergo skin removal processing following initial sizing and sorting. The blanching process removes the brown outer skin, producing kernels with light-colored surfaces suitable for applications requiring visual consistency or enhanced flavor profiles. Blanched products are available in whole kernel form across multiple sizes and grades per USDA specifications. These products serve confectionery manufacturers, bakery applications, and specialty food processors requiring skin-free almonds.

In-Shell Almonds

In-shell almond products consist of whole almonds with shells intact, sized and graded for export and domestic distribution. California varieties including Nonpareil (characterized by thin, smooth shells), Carmel, and other varieties are packed in-shell for markets preferring shell-on almonds for freshness retention, cultural preferences, or specific end uses. In-shell products are particularly significant in certain international markets and seasonal demand periods.

All products are processed in accordance with USDA almond grading standards with specifications for size ranges, defect allowances, foreign material limits, and other quality parameters defined by federal grading protocols for packed almond products.

Certifications & Quality Standards

The following certifications and quality programs are referenced in company materials. AgriLinkage has not independently verified current validity, scope, or compliance status. Certification standing can change based on audit outcomes. Buyers requiring certified products should request current documentation directly from the supplier and verify validity with issuing bodies.

Food Safety Audits

AIB International Inspection (American Institute of Baking): Company materials display historical audit scores from AIB International, a recognized third-party food safety certification body providing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audits. AIB audits evaluate facility sanitation, operational methods, personnel practices, pest control programs, and food safety management systems. Panoche Creek materials document voluntary participation in AIB audits with historical scoring trends presented to buyers demonstrating food safety program performance.

DFA (Dairy Farmers of America) Audit Program: Company materials reference historical participation in DFA audit protocols, a voluntary comprehensive Good Manufacturing Practices audit program. DFA audits assess facility conditions, operational hygiene, processing controls, and food safety systems. Historical DFA audit scores are documented in company buyer materials demonstrating food safety performance trends.

The company materials emphasize voluntary participation in unannounced third-party audits to verify adherence to hygiene protocols, fumigation programs, and pest control procedures. Company materials position these voluntary audit programs as distinguishing Panoche Creek among California almond handlers for proactive food safety verification.

Regulatory Compliance

All almond processing operations comply with mandatory USDA almond handling regulations, FDA food safety requirements, and California Department of Food and Agriculture standards. The company operates under Almond Board of California handler licensing requirements and adheres to federally mandated pasteurization protocols for California almonds destined for certain markets.

Markets & Distribution

Panoche Creek Packing serves global almond markets with documented distribution to domestic United States buyers and international customers worldwide. The company operates as a B2B supplier providing bulk almonds to manufacturers, distributors, food processors, confectionery producers, snack food companies, and wholesale buyers. Company materials document year-round availability and distribution capacity enabling 12-month annual supply to buyers across market cycles.

International distribution utilizes California's major export ports with company materials documenting shipments through the Port of Oakland (primary Northern California export gateway), Port of Los Angeles, and Port of Long Beach (serving Southern California exports). The worldwide buyer network documented in company materials serves multiple market applications including whole almond distribution, confectionery ingredient supply, and snack pack manufacturing.

Domestic markets include direct sales to United States food manufacturers, processors, distributors, and other commercial buyers requiring California almonds in bulk format across various specifications. The company's positioning among California's largest independent handlers provides volume capacity enabling accommodation of both large-scale orders and specialized buyer requirements, according to company materials.

The business model emphasizes grower payment performance, with company materials documenting a track record of higher pool returns to growers, on-time payments, and no payment defaults since founding in 1982. This grower satisfaction emphasis has resulted in documented referral-based business growth, with most new grower customers arriving through recommendations from existing grower clients.

Sustainability Initiatives

The following represents publicly stated initiatives documented in company materials. Independent verification of implementation would require third-party assessment.

Solar Power Generation

Company materials document installation of a solar photovoltaic array at the Kerman processing facility. The system comprises 1,908 solar panels with documented generation capacity of 500 kilowatts. According to company materials, the solar installation provides clean energy generation offsetting conventional electricity consumption at the processing facility, representing investment in renewable energy infrastructure for operational power requirements.

Community and Industry Engagement

Company leadership has participated in agricultural water policy advocacy through documented involvement with Families Protecting the Valley (FPV), a San Joaquin Valley agricultural water advocacy organization. Denis Prosperi, documented as a company executive, served as chairman of FPV addressing water supply issues affecting San Joaquin Valley agriculture. The company provided documented seed funding to support FPV reactivation focused on advocating for adequate water supplies to agricultural producers throughout the Central Valley region from Merced to Kern counties.

Company materials document charitable contributions to multiple regional organizations including California Water Alliance, Madera County Farm Bureau, Madera County Ag Boosters, Madera 20/30 Club, Children's Hospital of Central California, Boys and Girls Club, 4-H and FFA youth agriculture programs, Fresno State Athletics, Kerman Chamber of Commerce community events, Madera Stallions Baseball Team, American Cancer Society, and Kerman High School, demonstrating community engagement within the company's operational region.

Technology & Processing Equipment

Panoche Creek employs optical sorting technology for automated defect detection and foreign material removal in almond processing operations. The facility utilizes equipment from multiple manufacturers documented in company materials and equipment videos:

Satake Optical Sorters: Full-color optical sorting equipment employing camera-based detection systems for identifying and removing discolored kernels, surface defects, and foreign materials based on color differentiation and visual analysis.

Sortex Systems: Optical sorters utilizing camera and sensor technology for automated almond inspection and defect removal during processing flows.

LMC Sizing Equipment: Vibratory shaker systems for sizing almonds by physical dimensions, separating kernels into specified size categories per USDA grading standards and customer specifications.

The processing technology combines optical scanning, laser detection, and automated ejection systems to inspect almonds at commercial processing speeds, removing defective kernels, foreign materials including sticks and shells, and off-specification products. Company materials emphasize that this technology enables processing of higher volumes of premium almonds with improved efficiency compared to manual sorting methods alone.

Information Currency and Verification

This company profile reflects publicly available information from Panoche Creek Packing, Inc. official website (panochecreek.com), West Coast Nut magazine industry article (August 2022 documenting 170 million pound annual volume and 40 huller-sheller relationships), Madera County Farm Bureau featured business profile (2015), Almond Board of California supplier directory, Patrick James interview with Frank Roque, business information databases (D&B Hoovers, SignalHire, Manta, Corporation Wiki), and LinkedIn company profile. Time-sensitive data including processing volumes (documented at approximately 170 million pounds annually as of 2022), facility square footage (500,000 square feet as of 2022), employee counts (varying estimates from 15 to 250 across different sources), revenue estimates, and certification status may change. Users requiring current information should contact the company directly.

Certification validity and audit scores can change based on inspection outcomes and operational changes. Buyers requiring certified products or specific food safety audit verification should request current documentation from the supplier and verify program participation with certification bodies including AIB International and relevant audit organizations.

AgriLinkage has not conducted independent verification of operational capabilities, facility conditions, processing capacities, equipment specifications, or compliance claims. Commercial parties should conduct independent due diligence appropriate to their transaction requirements including facility audits, product testing, financial verification, and legal review.

Accessing Current Information

Prospective buyers, importers, and commercial partners should contact Panoche Creek Packing, Inc. directly to obtain current product specifications, pricing, availability, minimum order quantities, certifications, audit documentation, and capability information.

Official Contact Information:

Administrative Offices:Panoche Creek Packing, Inc. 3611 West Beechwood Avenue, Suite 101 Fresno, California 93711 United States

Processing Facility:1221 South Madera Avenue Kerman, California 93630 United States

Main Office Telephone: +1 (559) 449-1721 Facility Telephone: +1 (559) 842-8801 Fax: +1 (559) 842-8804 Website: https://panochecreek.com

Key Contacts (as documented in company materials):

• Frank Roque – Partner (Lead Almond Buyer)

• Ross Blackburn – Partner (Almond Sales)

• Denis Prosperi – Operations Executive

• Jean Grabowski – Office Manager/Controller

Buyers conducting sourcing evaluation should request current audit documentation (AIB, DFA, or other third-party food safety audits), product specifications and grade certificates, processing capability verification, facility inspection opportunities if required by purchasing standards, references from current customers in similar markets, and financial stability information if entering long-term supply arrangements.

Conclusion: Panoche Creek Packing's Position in California Almond Handling

Panoche Creek Packing, Inc. operates as an established California almond handler with documented operations since 1982, maintaining continuous family ownership and management throughout its operational history. The company's positioning includes documented annual processing volume of approximately 170 million pounds (as of 2022), relationships with approximately 40 huller-sheller operations throughout California, 500,000 square feet of processing and storage infrastructure in Kerman, voluntary participation in third-party food safety audits (AIB, DFA), and global distribution capabilities serving domestic and international buyers year-round.

For buyers seeking California almond suppliers, the company offers relevance through established processing infrastructure with documented expansion history, specialized focus exclusively on almonds without commodity diversification, documented grower payment performance including on-time payments and no payment defaults since 1982, processing capabilities across natural, blanched, and in-shell product formats, and documented handling capacity positioning the company among California's largest independent handlers.

The company's emphasis on grower relationships and referral-based business growth represents a business model focused on producer satisfaction and payment reliability. The documented executive team stability (over 46 combined harvest seasons as of 2020) and continuous family leadership since 1982 provide operational continuity, though buyers should verify current management structure and operational consistency through direct engagement.

This profile provides background context for initial supplier evaluation. Current commercial engagement requires direct contact with Panoche Creek Packing, Inc., independent verification of capabilities and audit status, product sampling and quality assessment appropriate to buyer requirements, facility audits if required by corporate sourcing policies, and proper legal and commercial due diligence before entering supply agreements.