Once Upon a Farm boosts efficiency with automated packaging system

Organic snack company Once Upon a Farm has increased its production efficiency by utilizing an automated packing system.

Once Upon a Farm produces nutritious snacks and baby food, and it has continued to expand its products, which are now available in over 16,000 retail locations across the U.S.

The SOMIC machines were installed at the company’s co-packing facilities in Milwaukee and Orange County, California. The SOMIC Packaging’s 424 W3 wraparound case packing systems were introduced to streamline the company’s packaging process, as Once Upon a Farm previously relied on manual labor for packing. With this integrated automation, the company has now increased its efficiency while maintaining the same workforce.

“Our product has a short shelf life, so speed and efficiency are critical,” said Douglas Blake, director of co-packer engineering at Once Upon a Farm. “The SOMIC system allows us to pack up to 1.2 million pouches per week, meeting the growing demand for our products.”

The shift to automated packaging is part of Once Upon a Farm’s broader strategy to support its rapid growth. Founded in 2015 by Cassandra Curtis and a team of entrepreneurs, the company uses High Pressure Processing (HPP) technology to preserve nutrients without additives. The business has seen remarkable success, doubling its retail presence since 2018.