ckreef Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 I've posted pictures of this place before but this time I thought I would do a virtual tour of their packing machine. Me and Mrs skreef went there today to buy some cheap peaches. Lane Packing is the only peach packing facility in the US that still packs the boxes by hand. Fasten your seat belts the tour is about to begin. The peaches are picked and put in large plastic bins. Those bins are put in a large water refrigerator (large plastic covered doorway in the first picture). Once the peaches are cooled to the appropriate temperature they are brought out by fork lift and put on the packing machine receiving area. A machine picks up the bins and dumps them on the conveyor belt. The peaches then get split up and go through a machine that removes the fuzz, washes then waxes them. They then go through an inspection area. The really good ones are culled out and put on the small upper belt. Any remaining leaves or bad peaches are put down the small square trash shoot next to each inspector. The peaches meet again and go up to the grading belt/computer. This new belt holds each peach in a known spot. They pass through a laser/computer area (under the green plate). The laser inspects each peach. The computer registers it's size, grade and position on the belt based on the laser inspection. They then pass through the sticker machine. They proceed along. Based on what the computer registered about that peach it's kicked off and goes down the appropriate slide to the correct boxing station located on the other side of the cat walk. Here the peaches are hand boxed for different markets/customers. You can see the different boxes at the various packing lanes. This is a really kewl place to visit. We go here every year during peach season. They have a decent store where you can buy everything peach and more. If you live in GA or are passing through on I-75 take a small detour to check it out. Reef's Bistro 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 Wouldn't I just love to be able to do that, I LOVE peaches. Thanks for that ck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted July 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 We did grab two 1/2 bushel boxes of peaches. They had prime #1 grade, one box $35 or two for $65. They also had #2 select grade, one box for $20 or two for $30. . We got the two for $30. #2 selects are the imperfect peaches. May not be perfectly round but the boxes had a better mix of sizes. They work good for canning but they are not fully ripe yet so you have to let them sit on the counter for a few days. A much better price and only a slight Hassel to deal with. . Grill Peach Reef Jam coming soon. Will probably can some peaches too. Reef's Bistro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeramicChef Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 Charles, there are a lot of nice peaches I see there, but only one worth looking at ... and I think you know exactly the one I'm talking about! Susan, you look absolutely beautiful. Love that flower in your hair. Nice pics, Friend. Its about peach season around here and there is an orchard east of town. I think I'm heading out there this week sometime to pick my own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Ora Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Great pics I would last 2 seconds if I had to work there lol Outback Kamado Bar and Grill♨ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyfish Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Thanks for the tour... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Miss going to the peach orchards. We did that a lot as a kid growing up in So Carolina. I especially miss when we'd get home and make homemade peach ice cream!! Mom made the BEST peach cobbler, too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted July 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Miss going to the peach orchards. We did that a lot as a kid growing up in So Carolina. I especially miss when we'd get home and make homemade peach ice cream!! Mom made the BEST peach cobbler, too! Hopefully grilled Peach ice cream coming soon. Reef's Bistro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
