CMI Orchards looks for organic volume gains

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards will feature bigger volumes of organic fruit in 2021, according to Joel Hewitt, sales manager. “With the addition of several premium growers, CMI has increased organic production by 20% to 25%,” Hewitt said. “Demand for organics have been growing each and every year and shelf space allocation for organics is increasing.”

CMI will start harvesting cherries in June and continue through August. “We have a robust selection of organic red and rainier cherries that we pack into our award-winning Daisy Girl cherry label,” he said. “CMI will continue to stay focused on digital. We have solid, direct partnerships with some of the leading companies in the U.S. in the digital space, including Instacart.

Hewitt said CMI is looking at several new earth-friendly packaging innovations, including fiber top seal, biodegradable and compostable packaging and an overall reduction in materials to eliminate waste.
CMI has designed a special sustainability trademark called Relax! to give shoppers confidence in making earth-friendly packaging selections. “Testing new products takes time and patience, and CMI is dedicated to doing ample research to ensure that new packaging initiatives match up with the environmental benefits they are claiming,” he said. “The information can be complex and confusing for shoppers and education is key.”

On the marketing front, he said CMI launched Flavogram.com in February of 2020. The company will be continuing to expand the program offering retailers  tools to educate shoppers on the flavor experience of apples. This year, CMI is expanding its Flavogram into pears and cherries, he said.

Related:
Organic Grower Summit 2021 announced 
Packaging expectations rising for organic consumers
How retailers can move more organic produce