New eco-friendly packaging unveiled for Starr Ranch Growers

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is rolling out a new eco-friendly bag for organic fruit in the 2021-22 season.

“We hope to get much more of our plastic back into the recycling stream now that we will be in a fully recyclable bag instead of the standard #7, which doesn’t actually get recycled,” said Dan Davis, director of business development.

Overall organic apple volume for Starr Ranch Growers is similar to a year ago, with growth held back because the apple crop picked out below earlier estimates due to heat stress during the summer.
Davis said the marketer plans to promote an increased availability of organic pears this season.

“This has been slow in coming due to the difficulties pear growers face through transition,” he said. “We’re glad to finally see this volume grow for us.”

Marketing success

From his perspective, Davis said stand-alone organic destinations work the best at retail. “Signage and being conspicuous are the biggest things that retail can do to help drive organic movement,” he said.

One of the biggest opportunities for organic sales, he said, is the increased presence and profile of organic produce at retail.

“We’re at a point of (increased) availability that we can now offer much more selection and highlight that,” he said.