"Make it in America': National Manufacturing Day Celebrated in Woodland

By Lauren King

National Manufacturing Day was recognized at one of Woodland's more iconic industrial operations Friday.

Pacific Coast Producers -- one of the largest tomato processing operations in the world -- was paid a visit by Congressman John Garamendi and a host of other local elected and community representatives.

PCP moved to Woodland in 2001, purchasing the old Del Monte plant at 1376 Lemen Ave., off East Main Street. Since then, it has reworked the small paste operation into what it is today and along the way became a cooperative that includes 12 different tomato growers from throughout the region.

The event was hosted by Valley Vision and Pacific Coast Producers. In addition to Garamendi, Woodland Mayor Jim Hilliard, Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor, and Woodland Community College President Dr. Michael White were among others in attendance.

The breezy Friday morning began with a tour of the facility, led by Plant Manager Chris Ward. With hard hats securely affixed to 30 heads, Ward gave a summary of the ins and outs of the plant. He pointed out everything from the tomato grading station -- where 9,000 tons of tomatoes are loaded a day during the season -- to the machines that cook and cool the tomatoes for further processing.

At the end of the tour attendees were welcomed to sample from the array of products produced at PCP, which were lined across a lab counter. Garamendi tried each, noting the garlic diced tomatoes were his favorite.

Afterwards, the congressman -- alongside leaders in agriculture, education, and local government -- spoke at a press conference to discuss regional efforts to expand manufacturing in Woodland and the Sacramento Valley.

"There are going to be 2,600 events like this across the nation where community colleges and manufacturers of all kinds will be talking about how we can "Make it in America' -- how we rebuild and expand the manufacturing sector in the United States," Garamendi asserted. He reported that the nation has seen a decrease in manufacturing jobs over the past decade from 20 million to 12 million as jobs are exported out of the country at a cheaper price, an issue that he would like remedied.

He also pointed out that the industry is getting more technologically complex and that many employees in this sector are within arms reach of retirement. This is creating a skills gap and need for new workers.

Garamendi also announced the awarding of a new USDA Rural Business Development Grant to Valley Vision for the Central Valley AgPlus Food and Beverage Consortium, to invest in manufacturing communities in an effort solve some of these problems.

The AgPlus Food and Beverage Consortium has said it will use the money to fund regional supply chain activity to help meet new demand for specialty agricultural products, such as through Farm-to-Fork programs; provide the workforce with needed skills through career pathway models; accelerate the development of innovative technologies to increase both safety and efficiency; transform the industry to become more drought-resilient and strengthen operations by providing access to liquidity and capital.

"Valley Vision is going to carry out the vision that all of us want -- more good paying jobs at every level in the agricultural sector," said Garamendi.

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