Two Pacific Northwest fruit purveyors say they have joined forces to better service customers: Washington Fruit Growers — an apple, pear and cherry marketer — will become the exclusive marketer of Gilbert Orchards.
The partnership is designed to further Washington Fruit Growers’ continued growth and expansion of its customer base, according to a news release.
“We recognize that the customer environment continues to change and consolidate. The addition of Gilbert Orchards allows us to support our customers’ long-term growth initiatives and goals,” Kyle Sager, Washington Fruit Growers vice president of sales, said in the release.
Related news: How some growers are cultivating sustainability at the apple orchard
Yakima, Wash.-based Washington Fruit Growers represents the sales and marketing arm of Mount Adams Fruit Co., Roche Fruit and Washington Fruit and Produce Co., according to the release. Gilbert Orchards is also based in the Yakima Valley.
“Along with our partners at Mount Adams and Roche Fruit, we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to partner with another local, family owned and operated company. In the dynamic and ever-changing tree fruit industry, working with the right partners who share our values and can nimbly respond to the needs of our customers is of paramount importance,” Washington Fruit Growers CEO Tommy Hanses said in the release.
He said that the Gilbert Orchards team includes exceptional growers and operators and brings a compelling variety mix of both conventional and organic apples.
“Having witnessed the success, growth and industry-leading operations of Washington Fruit over the years, I am very confident that this partnership puts Gilbert Orchards and Washington Fruit Growers in a strong position for the future,” Gilbert Orchards President Sean Gilbert said in the release. “I look forward to bringing this new partnership’s scale, breadth and depth of manifest and combined capabilities to the marketplace.”
