Bridges Produce prides itself on representing small to mid-sized farms with most of its grower partners founded as family farms–many multigenerational family farms.
Behind its labels–Rico Farms, Aztlan, Columbia Gorge Organic, Natures Pride and Bridges–are labels from those family farms. In fact, two long term partners, Cal-Ore Produce and Columbia Gorge Organic are celebrating 50 years in business.
© Bridges ProduceL-R: Ryan Finney (Cal-Ore); Kurt Jacobs (Bridges); Kyle Staunton (Cal-Ore).
Cal-Ore Produce grows and packs potatoes into the Natures Pride label. It is made up of four different family farms, some of which date back to the 1920's and span four generations. "These farms care so much about the products that they grow, the land that they grow on, and about the people that work for them," said Ryan Finney, Cal-Ore general manager. "We still have the heart and desires of family farms and businesses but also the capacity and technology to feed people on a very large scale. If we are not moving forward with technological advancement, we are falling behind so we are not afraid to invest in things that will make us better."
Also celebrating 50 years is Columbia Gorge Organic, a third-generation family farm who grows apples, pears, Asian pears, and stone fruit in the Hood River Valley. In 1975, Cheryl and Ron Stewart and their three boys left San Jose in a motorhome to grow fruit. By 1989, with Cheryl's background in nutrition and their sons' growing interest in sustainability, the family shifted to organic farming. Cheryl still runs Columbia Gorge Organic alongside her two of her sons and grandson Payton.
© Bridges Produce
L-R: Ben Johnson (Bridges Produce); Ronny Stewart (Columbia Gorge)
Ben Johnson, Bridges president, first met Ron Stewart in 1992 at the Natures Hillsdale store as Ben unloaded the Columbia Gorge delivery truck. When Ben founded Bridges Produce in 2002 they were one of the company's first grower partners. "A lot has changed since 1975 but a lot of things are the same too. One thing that has not changed is the Stewart Family's commitment to growing great fruit and being great stewards of the land," says Johnson.
There are also the company's Mexican growers. The Tapia Family owns Rico Farms and the Floriza family packs into the Aztlan label. Francisco Tapia, Sr. started farming in Hermosillo, Mexico 40 years ago, and after studying as an engineer his son Francisco Tapia Junior joined the family business. Under Francisco Jr. 's leadership, they converted to organic, expanded their farm operations to two locations, built their own bio-factory, prioritized worker welfare and much more.
Floriza en Los Parajes was established in 2002, but the Floriza family has been farming since the 1940s. Their current leadership is the 3rd generation of farmers.
For more information:
Sydney Fairchild
Bridges Produce, Inc.
Tel: +1 (503) 235-7333 [email protected]
[email protected]
www.bridgesproduce.com
