Yakima, Wash.-based fifth-generation Superfresh Growers is the largest organic pear grower in the Northwest, with about 35% of the grower-shipper’s pear volume certified organic, said Cat Gipe-Stewart, communication manager for Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash.
“Our crop is shaping up to be very similar to last year in size and volume,” Gipe-Stewart said. “Our bin estimates are nearly identical to last year. Sizing may be about one size down from last year due to the Northwest heat this summer, but the changes are very minute.”
Superfresh Growers started picking and packing pears at the beginning of August, including organic and conventional bartletts, and organic and conventional starkrimson. In September, harvest will move to organic anjou, organic and conventional bosc, organic concorde, and organic red bartlett. Harvest will continue in October and November with red and green anjou pears.
“Our new Superfresh Organics brand was rolled out last crop year and it has had huge success,” Gipe-Stewart said. “As we’ve seen in Nielsen data, pear packaging remains up compared to pre-pandemic numbers.”
Looking at the past 52 weeks ending July 17, she said pear packaging is up 24% year over year, and accounts for 21% of volume share.
“Our new Superfresh Organics stately purple packaging is available for pears, apples, and cherries,” she said. “The bright pops of color create eye-catching grocery displays, and the purple signifies to consumers that these products are organic.”
