Fruit grower, packer kicks off new apples with Gala promo

As the Northwest looks at a big apple crop this year, Oneonta Starr Ranch is kicking off the new season promoting delicious, snackable Galas.

Marketing Director Scott Marboe said the promo dovetails with end-of-summer and back-to-school and showcases the popular SnaQ bags and tri-wall bins.

“The campaign is really a big jump start coming out of the gate, and with this big crop we are expecting, it is a nice kick-off to the season,” he said.

The Gala harvest is bringing in beautiful fruit, he continued. “We are seeing great color and size as well as excellent condition. Also, our Honeycrisp are getting close to being ready, and the color of that variety is really nice this year. In fact, everything on the tree is looking exceptional.”

He added, “After the heat from last summer and the tough growing conditions, it has been a well-earned break for the growers throughout the entire Northwest to get some perfect growing conditions.”

In the next few weeks, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers will be shipping Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Early Fuji, followed by Red Delicious and increased volume of the earlier apples.

“We will finish with Pink Lady towards the latter part of October,” Marboe said.

In addition to its conventionally grown fruit, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers offers a solid organic program, with certified apples in all varieties as well as organic stone fruit. 

“Organic continues to grow for us,” Marboe said. “Our Columbia Valley facility just added a new packing line, and our Gilbert facility has put up a new consolidation and loading facility. Starr Ranch Organics continue to be well-received in the marketplace, and people are extremely happy with the quality, variety and category growth it shows.”