Stemilt Growers eyes organic increase

Stemilt Growers will see significant increases in organic Cosmic Crisp, SweeTango and Honeycrisp apples in the 2023-24 crop year, says Brianna Shales.

Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based supplier, said the expanded organic volume of those aligns with consumer demand.

“Stemilt started growing organically in 1989, making us an early adopter in organics,” she said. “Today, Artisan Organics is the brand that apples, pears, cherries and stone fruits fall under. Artisan Organics is centered around flavor to help us delight consumers.

:As we look to the 2023 apple crop, we have increased volumes of organics," she continued. "This is because of a larger crop, but also because we have strategically transitioned orchards to organic.”

A key organic product line for Stemilt Growers is its Lil Snappers kid-size fruit, which packages smaller-sized apples in convenient 3-pound pouch bags, Shales said. Lil Snappers' success, she said, rides on its ability to reach parent shoppers who are looking for convenience and healthy snacks for kids.

Stemilt Growers also has a new, paper-based sustainable four-pack of apples called EZ Band.

EZ Band helps package large-sized organic apples into a scannable unit that is sold on the count, she said.

In the fall, Stemilt Growers will have a full lineup of Artisan Organics four-packs available to help retailers merchandise bulk organics in a new way, she said.

“We have club varieties in this pack, and core varieties like gala, fuji, Pink Lady, granny smith and Honeycrisp,” Shales said.

Consumer realities

There is tension between the continued growth of the organic category and the inflation pressures that consumers are experiencing.

Inflation has made some consumers purchase organics less frequently, Shales said.

“[Consumers] are looking for value and want to ensure their organic purchases are not wasted,” she said. “The fruit has to deliver on flavor and quality. We've responded to these changes by helping retailers align with the opportunities within the crop.”

For example, Shales said Stemilt offers items like 5-pound bags that help retailers deliver value to consumers on organics, when the crop dictates it.

“We need to continue to delight consumers with organics in order to help encourage organic purchases,” she said.

Beyond the organic seal, Shales said Stemilt was the first tree fruit supplier to achieve certification with the Equitable Food Initiative at all its company orchards and packing warehouses.

“This certification brings EFI standards and continuous improvement practices into all Stemilt-owned orchards and warehouse facilities and represents over 3,500 employees,” she said. “There are more than 300 rigorous standards around labor practices, food safety, and pest management that a farm or facility must meet to achieve EFI certification. The standards also emphasize collaboration, respect and creating a culture of food safety. At Stemilt, we exist to cultivate people and delight consumers through excellence and the EFI certification solidifies our commitment to fulfill this mission.”