Honeybear expands cherry, organic apple production
Honeybear Brands acquired two separate facilities in Pateros, WA. The purchase of the Big River cherry facility will bolster the Honeybear northern Washington operations by providing additional supply and production capabilities. The purchase of another apple production facility will offer increased packing and cold storage capabilities to support the company's continued organic sales growth and program demand.
Cherries
“The newly purchased cherry facility has an industry-leading UNITEC sizer allowing for automated sizing and defect sorting. We are eager to provide our retail partners with consistent finished packs of the highest quality fruit available,” said Jim Divis, general manager of Honeybear Brands.
With the flexibility to select from a variety of pack types, such as volume fill, pouch bags and clam shells, the Honeybear retail and export partners can be confident in their consistent delivery of high-quality products. The timing of this acquisition is optimal, as it coincides with the 2023 cherry season and the increased consumer demand for cherries.
Apples
The Honeybear apple production and cold storage facility purchase will provide additional capabilities for their expanding orchards and grower commitments.
“We are excited to bring this facility on board as it will directly support our growing organic apple production,” said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing for Honeybear. “As we look toward continued expansion plans to fulfill growing customer demands, Honeybear is poised for a promising future. We are always committed to upholding the level of customer satisfaction that our valued customers have come to expect.”
The two new facilities, located adjacent to each other in Pateros, add an increased scale of apple and cherry production to Honeybear Brands, anchored by its state-of-the-art packing facility in Brewster, WA. With its orchards located in an ideal growing region of northern Washington, Honeybear said it will continue to provide its retail partners with the highest quality apples and cherries in the state of Washington.
