Sage Fruit Co. touts expanded packing capacity

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest change for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. has been the addition of another packing facility to the Sage Fruit family, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.

“We now run from Bend, Ore., to the Canadian border with our growing area,” Sinks said.

Sage Fruit currently has no plans to introduce any new items specifically for the food service sector during the 2022-2023 crop and marketing year, but Sinks said the marketer is well positioned to supply apples and pears that are exactly right for foodservice needs.

Tree fruit output in Washington state has been hindered by Mother Nature, both last year and this year, Sinks said.

“In 2021, we experienced unprecedented heat late in the growing season, which negatively impacted our crop volume at harvest,” Sinks said. “Flash-forward to spring 2022, and the Pacific Northwest experienced much colder temperatures than we’ve seen in recent years, along with a late winter storm that affected bloom, resulting in a smaller crop. In turn, increased pricing due to less volume, coupled with the inflation rate, is then passed on to the consumer and they have tough decisions to make when grocery shopping about what they fill their cart with.”

Still, Sinks said that he is optimistic in the ways foodservice operators are using fresh apples.

“There are so many creative ways the foodservice industry is utilizing fresh produce and highlighting the expansive flavor profiles,” Sinks said. “From restaurants to home delivery of prepared meals, the possibilities are endless. We are excited about our food service business. We have great partners that are creative. It allows our partnership to work closely with them to move additional products to their customers."