Stemilt Growers' Artisan Organic peaches have been touted as a "Best of the Season" item by Anthony's Restaurants, a popular Northwest seafood chain, earning the delicious summer fruit several appearances on the restaurant's menu during the month of August.

The peaches, which are grown and packed by the Douglas family in Pasco, WA, are available at all 22 Anthony's locations in dishes like fresh Alaska lingcod with peach-nectarine salsa, peach ice cream with raspberries, warm peach slump and vanilla ice cream, and a refreshing peach cosmo or peach lemonade to sip alongside any one of them.

Anthony's food consultant, Sharon Kramis, and executive chef, Pat Donahue, created these peach-inspired dishes in order to give patrons a taste of the harvest from family farms like the Douglas's, located just miles from an Anthony's Restaurant.

Anony's Restaurant Chef Louis Morales and Executive Chef Pat Donahue sample some of their creations using Artisan Organic peaches, which are being featured at the chain's 22 locations during the month of August. (Photo courtesy of Stemilt Growers)"Anthony's highlights best of the Northwest seasonal products from local farmers beginning with fresh rhubarb in April," Chef Donahue said in a press release. "Fresh strawberries and berries are featured throughout the summer, finishing up with a Northwest local favorite -- fresh peaches. Peaches are the star of the show and are a great complementing flavor to our fresh in season seafood."

Anthony's prides itself on sourcing high-quality ingredients all year-round. It even has its own wholesale seafood company in order to ensure consistency and quality with their main ingredient.   Featuring locally grown and organic peaches from the Douglas family fits in well with the restaurant's commitment to giving guests a pure Northwest dining experience.

The Douglas family has been farming since the early 1900s and has grown peaches since 1980. The family made the transition to organic farming in 2007, and three seasons later it certified its entire crop of peaches and nectarines as organic.

According to Jill Douglas, general manager of the family's fruit packing company, Douglas Fruit, the move to organics has enhanced the flavor profile of peaches and nectarines.

"The use of organic compost for fertilizer has enriched the soil with nutrients, which brings the trees into balance from a horticultural standpoint," Ms. Douglas said in the press release. "We also rely on beneficial insects, like ladybugs, to help control pest populations. Couple that with Pasco's ideal climate and the result is peaches and nectarines with vibrant colors, high sugar levels and just enough acidity that results in a flavor-first eating experience."

The location of the Douglas family's orchard is another point of differentiation for its peaches and nectarines.

"Stone fruit trees need warm temperatures during the day to develop sugars and cooler temperatures at night to re-energize," Ms. Douglas added in the press release. "Our orchards are located in one of the warmest areas of eastern Washington but also at the confluence of three major rivers (Columbia, Snake, and Yakima) to cool trees down at night. This combination results in a climate that is perfectly suited for overcoming the challenges that come with growing peaches and nectarines organically."

The Douglas family's peaches and nectarines are sold by long-time marketing partner, Stemilt Growers, under the "Artisan Organics" label.