“Over the next ten years, we will nearly double our organic apple and pear volume”

The Pacific Northwest is well into its organic apple and pear harvest for the 2018-2019 season. “We were the first to have organic Bartlett pears in late July,” says Catherine Gipe-Stewart with Superfresh Growers. “Currently, we are packing new crop organic and conventional Bartlett, Red Bartlett and Starkrimson pears. We are also under way with conventional D’Anjou and Bosc pears. When it comes to organic apples, we are packing Gala and Honeycrisp. These will soon be followed by organic Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, and then all Superfresh Growers’ other apple and pear varieties,” Gipe-Stewart said. Superfresh Growers has nearly a year-round supply of its core organic varieties including Gala, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Granny Smith. Organic Honeycrip is available into the late spring months.

The organic category is significant for Superfresh Growers. “We are the largest organic pear grower in the Northwest and any apple or pear variety we grow conventionally, we also grow organically,” Gipe-Stewart shared. This year, the company is greatly increasing its organic volume from last year as orchards continue to transition into organically certified orchards. “Over the next ten years, we will nearly double our organic volume,” she said. “Consumer demand is a huge driver and organics are becoming a regular item for most consumers. We are happy to provide that option.”

The Autumn Glory® apple, exclusive to Superfresh Growers®, is a key variety that continues to grow, organically as well as conventionally. This year, the overall conventional and organic volume will be doubled as the company is aiming to have Autumn Glory® available year-round within the next five years. In addition to increased availability, the Autumn Glory® organic pouch bag is undergoing a facelift with new imagery coming soon. Harvest of this apple variety starts late October. 

Outside the domestic market, Superfresh Growers sees strong demand for its organic fruit in Southeast Asia. “Many countries in this part of the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand are becoming increasingly health conscious and increase demand for organic apples and pears,” Gipe-Stewart shared.

In line with the company’s increasing focus on the organic category, Superfresh Growers has implemented several sustainability initiatives. In the orchards, integrated pest management (IPM) is being leveraged. The hot days and cool nights of Central Washington deter pests, fungus, and disease, creating an ideal environment to grow organics and reduce inputs needed for conventional fruit. “By implementing IPM, we use good bugs to fight the bad.” Lacewing, ladybugs, spiders, and parasitic wasps all prey on aphids and other pests, minimizing reliance on insecticides. Pheromone inhibitors disrupt insects’ reproductive cycles, deterring codling moth and other unwanted pests. 

Additionally, Superfresh Growers invests heavily in compost to build organic matter and ultimately, build the biological health of the soil. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and herbicides as well as improves tree health. If that wasn’t enough, orchard blocks have solar-powered stations that evaluate soil moisture, soil temperature, ambient air temperature, weather, solar radiation, humidity, wind direction and speed. This information is used to model and better manage canopy conditions, pests, disease, frost risk, and water optimization.

For more information:

Catherine Gipe-Stewart

Tel: +1 (509) 966-1814