Commitment to excellence distinguishes Botsford & Goodfellow
Commitment to excellence distinguishes Botsford & Goodfellow
For over half a century, Botsford & Goodfellow Inc., headquartered in Clackamas, OR, has built an outstanding reputation by selling and distributing premium fresh fruits and vegetables from the world’s finest farms.
President Chuck Botsford told The Produce News that the idea for the company began in the 1950s when John Botsford and Bob Goodfellow worked for the Hugh B. Campbell Co. In 1965, the pair began their own operation, establishing long-standing grower relationships, which have lasted three generations based on a continuing standard of excellence and reliability.
“These relationships have lasted because of trust and integrity,” he stated.
Chuck Botsford, president of Botsford & Goodfellow Inc.The company moves an extensive array of fresh produce from the finest shippers and growers in the Pacific Northwest, in addition to product from other regions. “Watermelons are a big part of what we do,” Botsford said, adding that they sell in volume to the company’s customer base.
Watermelons are marketed throughout the United States year-round. Product is moved into western Canada during the spring and summer, and the Botsford & Goodfellow sales staff also works with Mexican importers.
The company moves a steady supply of watermelons sourced from multiple locations, including 800 acres grown and farmed by members of the Hermiston Watermelon Growers Association, and another 300 acres in production by Pasquinelli Produce in Yuma, AZ. “We also buy watermelons from Texas, Nogales, Bakersfield [and other locations],” Botsford noted.
Varieties include conventional and organic seeded, seedless, yellow, orange and minis. Looking at new varieties, Botsford said, “Fascination and Exclamation are receiving extremely high marks, as well as the resurgence of many black rind watermelon varieties in the organic category.”
Watermelon from Yuma is some of the earliest domestic fruit available, and Botsford said fruit from Mexico and offshore locations fills the winter gap in the United States.
Botsford said, “With decades of experience, the company is well-adapted to streamline product movement between growers and major chain stores, independent chains, brokers and wholesalers.”
