Latest News From Northwest (U.S.)

The two Wenatchee, Wash.-based fruit companies are partnering to expand the combined apple, pear and cherry offerings.

A new "restaurant-style" potato is being launched this fall by RPE’s Farmer’s Promise brand, with the new crop anticipated Oct. 1.

Two Pacific Northwest fruit purveyors have joined forces to grow and expand market reach in apples, pears and cherries.

The Inland Northwest-based fresh fruit and vegetable distributor and its parent company, URM Stores Inc., have appointed the produce veteran as president.

California Giant Berry Farms is anticipating promotable yields of blueberries out of Oregon, British Columbia and Washington state in July and August.

The early signs point to a healthy crop of cherries in the Northwest, says Tim Kovis, director of communications and events for the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, Yakima, Wash.

Conner O’Malley will take the reins from Tim Lane, who plans to retire later this year after leading the Yakima, Wash.-based company for 25 years.

Orchard View says its 100th season is shaping up to be large in volume and excellent in quality, even if it’s set to begin as much as two weeks later than usual due to chilly early spring weather.

Washington-based Superfresh Growers has reported a strong second season for the up-and-coming apple variety, bred from Honeycrisp and Fiji for its sweetness and ability to hold freshness.

The experienced attorney has joined the northwest fruit grower-shipper in a newly created role.

The medium-sized winter pear variety launches its first season in February and likely selling into April 2023.

Multiple growing regions in North America have strengthened the availability of the crunchy, flavorful apple variety this winter, despite crop shortages in Washington.

The Washington-based tree fruit grower is building a new facility to support new pear varieties and growth.

Cherry grower-shippers are, more and more, putting the focus on sustainability.

Grower-shippers who market organic cherries agree that the category plays an important role in their cherry programs.

The early season volume out of the Northwest should help cherry-focused retailers transition from this year's California crop.

Lyndonville, N.Y.-based United Apple Sales is experiencing extremes: A great Northeast U.S. growing season so far, and a severely hot Northwest U.S. growing season.

USA Pears won Best In-house Digital Marketing Campaign for its Virtual Flavor Experience videos from PR News and the Social Shake-up’s 2021 Digital + Social Media Awards.

Kent, Wash.-based Pacific Coast Fruit Co., acquired Seattle-based Northwest Specialty Produce.

The Pear Bureau Northwest is asking retailers to show their love of red pears with a display contest.

The Yakima, Wash.-based Northwest Horticultural Council has hired Riley Bushue as its new director of government relations and export programs, said Mark Powers, president.

The Northwest pear industry is adjusting to the coronavirus, said Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Milwaukie, Ore.-based Pear Bureau Northwest

Northwest pear grower-shippers expected a comparatively light crop this year, although they said they should have plenty of fruit to fill all needs.

Rainier Fruit, Selah, Wash., has earned Equitable Food Initiative certification for its largest farm, which is more than 2,300 acres.

The 2020-21 fresh pear crop in Washington and Oregon is projected at 16.6 million 44-pound box equivalents, according the Pear Bureau Northwest’s first official estimate of the season.

Northwest Cherry Growers, Yakima, Wash., estimates production for this season will be 20.5 million 15-pounds boxes.

Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, Northwest cherry growers are optimistic about export opportunities this season.

Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, Wash., released an 8-minute video sharing Nielsen data insights on cherries just before California cherry harvest begins and while Washington cherry trees are in bloom.

Orchard View Cherries, The Dalles, Ore., has promoted Mike Omeg to director of the business operations department.

Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash., is reporting good movement with the Northwest pear crop, with ample supplies to ship well into summer.

USA Pears is set to launch a campaign centered around pear pizza to kick off the 2019-20 Northwest pear season.

One of Pear Bureau Northwest’s newest initiatives as it ramps up outreach for the pear season is a series of tutorial videos providing pear ripening, serving and nutritional tips to professionals in schools.

Recipes on Pear Bureau Northwest’s website are now shoppable for consumers, one of several tactics to kick off the season in September.

Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash., saw growth in organic apples and pears this past season, with galas and bartletts leading each category.

Organically Grown Co., Portland, Ore., has promoted Mike Boyle to vice president of sales and sourcing and brought on Bryce White as vice president of business operations.

Dubbed the Ultimate Cherry line, Stemilt Growers’ massive new high-tech packing line in Wenatchee, Wash., has 32 lanes that use cameras to sort and size the fruit.

Berry People, Hollister, Calif., is moving harvest to the Pacific Northwest as production in Mexico and California winds down for the season.

Lyndonville, N.Y.-based United Apples Sales opened a West Coast division based in Yakima, Wash., and hired Frank Davis as vice president of national business development.

Northwest pear growers are estimating the 2019-20 fresh market crop will be 17.3 million 44-pound box equivalents, a drop of 9% from the previous harvest, and 6% the industry’s five-year average.

With California cherry growers dealing with damage from rains, Northwest shippers are preparing for a favorable start to the season in mid-June.

CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, Wash., is extending the American Dream retail program from apples to cherries.

USA Pears will host a booth for the first time at the March 9-10 SXSW Conference and Festival, which attracts half a million people to Austin, Texas. 

Flu and allergy seasons — also called winter and spring — are when Pear Bureau Northwest will gear its promotions toward living a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet.

Pacific Rose apples, described as sweet and crisp, are shipping from Crane Family Orchards, Brewster, Wash., where most of the proprietary variety is grown.

The American Heart Association’s Heart-Check can now be used on all 10 varieties of Northwest pears with the USA Pears brand.

Albert’s Fresh Produce is promoting pears with Pear Bureau Northwest, through Pear-a-Palooza contents.

Pear Bureau Northwest is taking National Pear Month global.

Northwest pear growers estimate they’ll produce 18.9 million standard box equivalents, which at 415,000 tons for the fresh market is an 18% increase from the small 2017 harvest, but equal to the five-year average.

Northwest pear growers estimate they’ll produce 18.9 million standard box equivalents, which at 415,000 tons for the fresh market is an 18% increase from the small 2017 harvest, but equal to the five-year average.

Bryan Roberts is Pear Bureau Northwest’s new regional marketing manager for the Midwest.