Eric Patrick takes marketing reins at Grant J. Hunt
Eric Patrick takes marketing reins at Grant J. Hunt
Oakland, CA-based Grant J. Hunt Co. has named Eric Patrick marketing director, and the produce industry veteran will be part of the Hunt division in The Dalles, OR.
Mr. Patrick will operate out of the company's Yakima office, he told The Produce News March 1.
Prior to his move to the Grant J. Hunt Co., Mr. Patrick had served as director of marketing for Domex Inc. in Yakima, WA, and had also held the position of domestic promotion director for the Washington State Fruit Commission/Northwest Cherry Growers.
"Its an exciting opportunity," he said of the move.
His initial focus will be the upcoming 2006 cherry season, and Mr. Patrick said that he was looking forward to the job of marketing product for the operation.
Grant Hunt has such an outstanding reputation for cherries, he said. The company has long been strong on exports, and now were seeing more opportunities for domestic growth.
Company President Grant M. Hunt said that the addition of Mr. Patrick to the staff is a solid step forward.
We continue to increase the value-added services we provide to our customers and shipper base, Mr. Hunt said. In todays rapidly changing business world, it is more important than ever that we not only have great product. We also need to have merchandising and marketing plans to help drive this product to the consumer. Eric brings a wealth of knowledge in cherries and other fruits, which we feel will really benefit our customers and growers.
The overall program will consist of more than 900,000 boxes of dark sweet and Rainier cherries from a growing area reaching from The Dalles/Hood River, OR, as far north as Chelan, WA.
Fresh cherries will be available from Grant J. Hunt starting in early June and running through mid- to late August a season of approximately 10 to 12 weeks. All major varieties are produced, with Rainier comprising approximately 15 percent of the total volume.
Mr. Patrick also noted that Grant J. Hunt is moving into organics, with a small volume of that product available this season.
Orchard View Farms is the cornerstone of the Grant J. Hunt Co. cherry program, and the fourth-generation, family-based growing operation is based in The Dalles, OR. Spring Creek Orchards in Hood River, OR, and Blue Mountain Growers in Milton-Freewater, OR, round out the cherry program.
Mr. Patrick said that Grant J. Hunt makes extensive use of Orchard View Farms patented modified-atmosphere system, known as View Fresh, to help maintain the fruits freshness, firmness and flavor, creating a a great eating experience throughout the season.
Grant J. Hunt Co. is a fifth-generation produce company that was founded in Oakland nearly a century ago.
In addition to its large cherry program, Hunt also offers year-round programs for vegetables and fruit, selling both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Patrick said that domestic marketing is conducted from coast to coast, and cherry exports are heavy to the Pacific Rim and the United Kingdom.
Sales within the United States are primarily to retailers and wholesalers, and regarding the use of cherries in the foodservice arena, he said, I see emerging markets in higher-end restaurants, resorts and cruise ships.
Citing the especially good season of 2005, Mr. Patrick said of 2006, The weather thus far has been pretty good, and we can only hope Mother Nature will continue to be kind to us.
Mr. Patrick will operate out of the company's Yakima office, he told The Produce News March 1.
Prior to his move to the Grant J. Hunt Co., Mr. Patrick had served as director of marketing for Domex Inc. in Yakima, WA, and had also held the position of domestic promotion director for the Washington State Fruit Commission/Northwest Cherry Growers.
"Its an exciting opportunity," he said of the move.
His initial focus will be the upcoming 2006 cherry season, and Mr. Patrick said that he was looking forward to the job of marketing product for the operation.
Grant Hunt has such an outstanding reputation for cherries, he said. The company has long been strong on exports, and now were seeing more opportunities for domestic growth.
Company President Grant M. Hunt said that the addition of Mr. Patrick to the staff is a solid step forward.
We continue to increase the value-added services we provide to our customers and shipper base, Mr. Hunt said. In todays rapidly changing business world, it is more important than ever that we not only have great product. We also need to have merchandising and marketing plans to help drive this product to the consumer. Eric brings a wealth of knowledge in cherries and other fruits, which we feel will really benefit our customers and growers.
The overall program will consist of more than 900,000 boxes of dark sweet and Rainier cherries from a growing area reaching from The Dalles/Hood River, OR, as far north as Chelan, WA.
Fresh cherries will be available from Grant J. Hunt starting in early June and running through mid- to late August a season of approximately 10 to 12 weeks. All major varieties are produced, with Rainier comprising approximately 15 percent of the total volume.
Mr. Patrick also noted that Grant J. Hunt is moving into organics, with a small volume of that product available this season.
Orchard View Farms is the cornerstone of the Grant J. Hunt Co. cherry program, and the fourth-generation, family-based growing operation is based in The Dalles, OR. Spring Creek Orchards in Hood River, OR, and Blue Mountain Growers in Milton-Freewater, OR, round out the cherry program.
Mr. Patrick said that Grant J. Hunt makes extensive use of Orchard View Farms patented modified-atmosphere system, known as View Fresh, to help maintain the fruits freshness, firmness and flavor, creating a a great eating experience throughout the season.
Grant J. Hunt Co. is a fifth-generation produce company that was founded in Oakland nearly a century ago.
In addition to its large cherry program, Hunt also offers year-round programs for vegetables and fruit, selling both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Patrick said that domestic marketing is conducted from coast to coast, and cherry exports are heavy to the Pacific Rim and the United Kingdom.
Sales within the United States are primarily to retailers and wholesalers, and regarding the use of cherries in the foodservice arena, he said, I see emerging markets in higher-end restaurants, resorts and cruise ships.
Citing the especially good season of 2005, Mr. Patrick said of 2006, The weather thus far has been pretty good, and we can only hope Mother Nature will continue to be kind to us.
