About Our Facility
The California Processing Tomato Industry Pilot Plant (CPTIPP) has 8000 square feet of research space supporting undergraduate education, academic research, and industry R&D. This space includes access to dry, frozen, and refrigerated storage as well as utility connections including air, steam, and electrical, allowing new equipment to be brought in. For details about specific projects and rates, please contact Pilot Plant Manager Amy Fletcher.
- New! California Processing Tomato Industry Pilot Plant Information Sheet (February 2023)
Pilot Plant Recharge Rates Effective 12/1/2015
| Rate Name | New UC Rate | Non-UC Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Facility Hourly Use Rate | $94.50 | $200.00 |
| SRA IV Hourly Rate | $88.00 | $150.00 |
| Student Hourly Rate | $24.00 | $32.00 |
CPTIPP Guideline Summary (start here)
Use Policy (PDF 358 KB)
Use Request Form (PDF 166 KB)
(See all forms and information at bottom of page)
Available Equipment*
*For a complete equipment list please contact Pilot Plant Manager Amy Fletcher.
Freeze Dryer
Tray Dehydrator
Hobart Mixer
Rossi Evaporator
Juice Processing Line
Rotary Steritort
Steam Jacketed Kettles
Vacuum Pack Machine
Ice Cream Freezer
Batch Mixer
Dixie Canner
Shear Mixer
Available Analyses*
*For a complete list of analyses please contact Pilot Plant Manager Amy Fletcher.
pH
Titratable Acidity
Brix
Bostwick
Color
Water Activity
Firmness
Full Can Seam Analysis
Shelf Life Testing (see below)
Shelf Life Testing
We provide testing to help inform clients in setting expiration dates, best-by dates, and sell-by dates for a variety of food products. Food samples will be conditioned and stored in specific temperatures and humidity conditions, then quality changes will be analyzed and evaluated through quality and microbial analyses. Please use the attached intake form to determine if the offerings and testing we have is in alignment with the needs and goals of your organization.
Shelf Life Intake Form (PDF, 216 KB) Please email form to [email protected].
Facility History
Funding for the equipment installation was provided by gifts from many donors, including several from the processing tomato industry. The facility also received an unexpected and wonderful gift of art to cover the otherwise industrial stainless steel covers that surround the utility drops. Precision Canning Equipment which had been hired to do the installation went above and beyond their contract, donating eight original paintings by artist Sergio Chavez, depicting the wide variety of fruit and vegetable crops that may be processed in the new facility. From peaches to tomatoes to corn, the bounty of California agriculture is writ large as soon as you walk into the space, thanks to Chavez’s talent and Precision Canning Equipment’s generosity.
For more information, please contact Amy Fletcher.
In this video by the Robert Mondavi Institute, you can see the Pilot Plant in action in the second segment of the video.
FAQ
- What is the CPTIPP?
- The California Processing Tomato Industry Pilot Plant is a pilot-scale facility that supports undergraduate education, academic research within UC Davis, and industry partnerships. While the facility contains a complete tomato processing line, it is also equipped to process a wide variety of other food products. It contains smaller versions of industrial-scale equipment and also a number of utility drops that allow for new equipment to efficiently installed and utilized in the Pilot Plant.
- What kind of projects does the CPTIPP support?
- We can support a variety of research/R&D projects, scale-up work, and some shelf-life testing. However, since we are not a commercial facility, we are limited to producing food products for research and teaching purposes--we can’t make saleable or publicly distributable product. We also don’t offer contract manufacturing or process authority type services. Examples of past projects include fruit varietal processing trials, evaluation of freeze drying pre-treatment, scale-up to determine process settings for meat alternative products, non-dairy-based ice cream, smoothie-like products, and more.
- How would I set up work/a project in the CPTIPP?
- Please reach out to the Pilot Plant manager, Amy Fletcher, at [email protected].
- Are products made in the CPTIPP consumable?
- The pilot plant is not able to make saleable or publicly distributable product. Any external collaborator aiming to produce food for consumption for research, teaching, or private event purposes must partner with a UC Davis faculty member. This involves collaborative development of a scope of work document, budget, food safety plan and, for research projects, an Institutional Review Board proposal.
- Is the CPTIPP able to serve as a contract manufacturer?
- No
- Are there services the CPTIPP doesn’t provide?
- We are not able to provide full commercialization support. While we’re able to answer questions and assist with scale-up, we are not able to develop proprietary products for industry, perform nutrition testing or validate label claims, or develop a scheduled process.
Click on the links below for more information and forms:
