Selection of growers - Growers are chosen for their use of the most up-to-date planting and harvesting equipment as well as their insistence on practicing the most agronomic techniques.

Harvest at the optimum time - Harvest begins only after the popcorn crop is dried to the optimum moisture. With machinery carefully adjusted, growers bring in the matured crop.

Drying with careful monitoring - Kernel moisture is extremely important in achieving maximum popping expansion. This is accomplished in large steel bins with forced air. The process is monitored daily.

Machinery - Popcorn is conveyed to the machine where it is separated.

• Precision sizing air-screen separator - kernels are sized by a series of screens. High volume air removes fines and splits.
• Gravity separator - Kernels which are full size but not having full integrity of test weight are removed.
• Optical scanner - Each kernel passes a highly sensitive set of optics, which detects any discoloration. Discolored kernels are imperfect and are separated from the grain stream by a blast of air.
• Magnet - Grain stream flows over magnets to remove any ferrous material.

Testing - Samples are taken to check moisture, popping expansion, and kernel size.