Kevin D. Moffitt is set to relinquish day-to-day duties as president and CEO this summer after 35 years with the marketing organization, though he will aid the transition of his successor.
The World Apple and Pear Association has elected Jeff Correa, director of international marketing at Pear Bureau Northwest, as chairman of the association.
“For the eighth annual World Pear Day celebration, USA Pears will once again be partnering with the online platform, Kittch, to showcase six popular chefs preparing a variety of global dishes,” said Jeff Correa of PBNW.
Stemilt Growers produces nearly 30% of its apples and about 15% of its pears organically, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.
“We can’t wait to share with retailers the strategic growth that has come to light with this year’s crop of apples and pears, and Stemilt specifically,” said Stemilt’s Brianna Shales.
The Celina cv. pear — marketed as QTee in other growing regions — has been granted approval to enter the U.S. market through Washington-based Proprietary Variety Management.
While the official Northwest pear forecast won’t be released until September, indications in late August pointed to a crop that is consistent with the four-year average output.
The vote allows the Oregon and Washington pear industry and the Fresh and Processed Pear Committee to conduct production and marketing research and promotional initiatives including paid advertising with USDA oversight.
Twenty percent of the fruit marketed by Domex Superfresh Growers is organic, and that percentage is on the way to 25%, says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based marketer.
Excellent growing conditions are on tap for Northwest fruit, and that means organic fruit volume will increase later this year for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co., says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
The Chelsea, Mass.-based brand says it will work with partners in Argentina and offer a 2-pound pear bag, with pears also available in full-size cartons or half-cartons.
Shoppers are willing to try new varieties if given the proper incentive. That can include providing a better understanding about flavor profiles so they can make informed decisions, says Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards.
California is expected have plenty of good-quality tree fruit, melons and other commodities this summer, though some items might get off to a later start than usual, and early volume on others may be off a bit.
The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company aims to have the foundation and walls of the building complete by the end of August and have the line fully operational by 2024.
The Leamington, Ontario-based company has increased its owned acreage with a 40-acre expansion that will bring organic tomatoes and cucumbers to market in early spring, increasing growing area at the facility to 115 acres.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers LLC launched a new sustainable package called the EZ Band last fall, and it recently launched an organic Cosmic Crisp version, said Brianna Shales, marketing director.
Yakima, Wash.-based Superfresh Growers is entering its second year of growing and selling Evercrisp apples, said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing.
As we steamroll through fall (hey, where did 2022 go?), we have to continually switch up our counters with the abundant fall crops and bountiful fruit that the season provides.
Nearly 25% of Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers' apple crop is grown and certified organic for the 2022 crop, says Brianna Shales, marketing director.
The 2022 Northwest fresh pear crop estimate is 16.2 million standard box equivalents, close to the five-year average, according to the Pear Bureau Northwest.
Pears are skewing toward younger consumers and the Pear Bureau Northwest is designing media campaigns to speak to them, says Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest.
Bartlett pear harvest began in mid-August for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit, and the company’s other pear varieties will follow closely behind in early September, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
With the purchase of the Stadelman Fruit operations in Odell, Ore., earlier this summer, Yakima-based Washington Fruit Growers expects its total pear volume to be up 25%, says Steve Smith.
With crop volumes expected similar to a year ago, Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers LLC will offer both organic and conventional pears this season.
The initial industry projection for the 2022 Northwest pear crop is close to last year’s in volume, according to Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest.
The Pacific Northwest organic pear crop looks promising, as estimates point to an increase in volume over last year, according to Domex Superfresh Growers.
On a recent spring morning, I found myself leaving an appointment in New York City’s Chinatown. As I spilled onto the sidewalk, I faced all sorts of unfamiliar fresh produce displayed on tables on almost every block.