Latest News From Washington

Sage Fruit Co. had good news for retail attendees at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

During his 18-year stint with the commission, Todd Fryhover has overseen the marketing efforts for Washington apple growers in 25 countries worldwide.

Washington Tree Fruit Association President Jon DeVaney talks about state legislation's affect on the fresh produce industry there and what that could mean for the rest of the country.

The Yakima, Wash.-based company says its employees contributed 50% more hours to community service in 2023 compared with the previous year.

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company says retailers will benefit from another four months of the variety’s availability, with Juici deliveries expected through May.

Marketers recently shared the unique prospects that ample supply provides for retailers and consumers.

After growers faced a year of weather extremes in 2022, Washington state rebounded in 2023, increasing production by about 38% year over year, according to the U.S. Apple Association.

The merger expands the opportunity and scope of both companies to serve their unique customer base, while also working together with the customers the two companies share coast to coast.

New crop Ambrosia Gold apples from CMI Orchards are marked by high flavor, vibrant color and a superb eating experience, the company reports.

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will host its 119th Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo at the Three Rivers Convention Center and Toyota Center in Kennewick on Dec. 4-6.

Apple volume is up, and prices are down. That equation adds up to more apple promotion opportunities, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.

Chuck Sinks will continue to work for Sage Fruit Co. for the next two years in a reduced capacity, assisting the transition of his role to the new leader of the business development and marketing team.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards is highlighting Kanzi apples as a top choice for food enthusiasts in baked desserts and holiday treats.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers has added new capabilities in a new apple line packinghouse extension.

Stemilt Growers produces nearly 30% of its apples and about 15% of its pears organically, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits, the creators of genetically engineered nonbrowning Arctic apples, has recently unveiled a 110,000-square-foot processing facility in Moses Lake, Wash.

With fall fast approaching, all eyes are on Washington to see what fruit the nation’s top apple-producing state will bear this season.

Stemilt Growers expects a strong pear crop in 2023, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.--based marketer.

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

CMI Orchards expects abundant volume and excellent quality for its 2023 pear crop.

Domex Superfresh Growers is forecasting its 2023 pear crop will be down just slightly from last year.

Export demand may account for perhaps 30% of Northwest pear volume in 2023, said Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of the Pear Bureau Northwest.

As parents and kids are shopping for back-to-school needs, Rave apples can be offered as a healthy addition to any lunch box or after-school snack, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.

Organic gala and organic Honeycrisp provide both retailers and consumers with great options, says Kaci Komstadius, vice president of marketing for Sage Fruit Co., Yakima, Wash.

Mike Taylor, vice president of sales and marketing, has been promoted to senior vice president of business development strategy; Tate Mathison, director of sales, will become vice president of sales and marketing.

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

Got some organic Honeycrisp? That is the question that the market is asking suppliers, says Dan Davis, director of business development for Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers.

Central Washington-based grower Ostrom Mushroom Farms was fined $74,000 in civil penalties for H-2A violations, and the Department of Labor was able to recover $59,000 in back wages for workers, a news release said.

The growing season has been excellent for Washington apples, says Robb Myers, and that is just the start of the good news.

Save room in the shopping cart for more Washington apples.

The new center is putting words to action, underscoring the USDA’s commitment to agricultural research and science at land-grant universities.

Stemilt Growers will have its prized high-elevation cherries into the last week of August, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.

​​​​​​​After erratic spring weather, onion crop prospects in the Columbia Basin shared by Washington and Oregon have improved to strong levels.

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower-packer-shipper of tree fruit collaborated with Eastmont High School on the transition to work program that provides education and training to young people with disabilities.

The Washington onion crop for Seattle-based F.C. Bloxom Co. is on track for a strong year, says William F. Bloxom, an owner of the company.

Washington cherry season is in full swing, and a robust cold chain is helping Stemilt Growers deliver fruit with consistent flavor, size and quality the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer says.

Despite a cold spring, Washington potato growers are anticipating a good crop for 2023, says Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington Potato Commission.

Both Washington and Oregon potato output was down for the 2022 season, and prices have been elevated through mid-2023.

​​​​​​​Stemilt Growers is offering its biggest and best dark sweet cherries in July under the Kyle’s Pick label.

Stemilt's Artisan Organics brand is kicking off its summer season with Washington-grown organic apricots, nectarines and peaches.

The USDA has published a proposed rule that would increase the assessment rate for onions produced within the Walla Walla sweet onion marketing order.

As a part of its Taste Local campaign, Spokane, Wash.-based Peirone Produce has unveiled a new truck trailer featuring fourth-generation Washington orchardist Kaitlyn Thornton.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards reports excellent quality at the start of the Washington cherry harvest.

The Washington cherry crop is running late this season, but it will be well worth waiting for, says Dan Davis, director of business development for Starr Ranch Growers, Wenatchee, Wash.

CMI Orchards’ cherry program offers the largest varietal section of cherries available in the market today, says Rochelle Bohm, vice president of marketing for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based supplier.

After a down crop year in 2022, Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. is looking forward to rebounding with a large cherry crop volume in 2023.

The latest apple category statistics report from Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards shows Envy apple sales are setting a torrid pace among high-flavor varieties.

While retailers may not be able to take full advantage of vast Northwest cherry supplies for Fourth of July ads, Mac Riggan says grocers will have many opportunities for retail cherry promotions later in the summer.  

Stemilt Growers expects to have its Washington organic apricots available in big sizes from mid-June through July.

Grandview, Wash.-based River Valley Fruit has introduced the Audra Rose cherry bag with its newly assigned PLU number, 3550.