Tudor: Rainier has longstanding commitment to organic production
Tudor: Rainier has longstanding commitment to organic production
The decision made by Rainier Fruit Co. more than a decade ago to become a leader in the production of organic fruit is validated by today’s marketplace dynamics.
“That commitment was made 12 years ago,” said Andy Tudor, director of business development. “We will continue to renew organic production on a yearly basis of about 10 percent of our production.”
Rainier currently grows and markets organic apples, pears, cherries and blueberries. “Our seasons are August to June on apples, August to May on pears, June and July on cherries and June to October on blueberries,” he commented.
Looking at Rainier’s overall fruit volume, Tudor said 25 percent of product is currently organic.
When asked what distinguishes Rainier in the marketplace, Tudor respsonded: “The level of intensity on the farming side. Growing organically is not easy. It’s commitment at a whole different level. We firmly believe our organic products taste consistently better than anything else on the market.”
Consumers, he went on to say, have voiced their strong support for organic commodities. “[There has been] double digit category growth for the past three years,” he commented. “It is possible that organic is as important as local to consumers.”
Rainier works with its retail partners to provide the best-quality organic fruit and category management services designed to strengthen rings at the register.
“Rainier has committed to a very deep dive at the consumer level to understand who our organic consumer is and why organic is important to them,” he explained.
