Sweet Clover organics to increase by 50 percent this year
Sweet Clover organics to increase by 50 percent this year
WALLA WALLA, WA -- As its overall onion volume ramps up by 20-25 percent in 2008, Sweet Clover Produce is anticipating a major jump in its organics.
"Our project volume of organics is increasing by 50 percent," Sales Manager Bill Brownfield said in early March. The company, which specializes in contracts and has offices here and in Quincy, WA, packs at three primary facilities in the Northwest and offers sweet and hybrid onions year round.
Mr. Brownfield, also known as Sweet Willie, said that organics, new to the Sweet Clover manifest, are being sold by his son, Pat Brownfield. The younger Mr. Brownfield joined Sweet Clover in 2007 and is also working in transportation for the operation.
"We've only been in organics a short time and are already seeing strong sales," Bill Brownfield continued. "Quality sells, and it looks like [the category] will continue to grow exponentially."
Well known for its single-center Red Wing variety onions grown by Grigg & Sons in Washington state, Sweet Clover also handles Walla Walla sweets during the season as well as Vidalias. In mid-April, organic Vidalias will be available, Mr. Brownfield added.
"And our Washington sweet organics grown by Mark and Jim, the Grotz brothers, will be available starting in July," Mr. Brownfield went on to say.
Strong volumes continue on Red Wings, he said, noting, "We have excellent storage crop into May. And we are increasing our Washington onion acreage for summer and fall 2008 by about 20 percent, which means we will be basically year round on reds with volume heavy to Red Wings."
The reds are being shipped in 25- and 40-pound cartons, and Mr. Brownfield said, "We're seeing substantial demand for jumbos and colossals at retail level."
Sweet Clover works with a large foodservice base as well, and the sales manager said that Red Wings have seen an up tick in that market segment "because of the high percentage of single centers, especially in colossals and large jumbos."
Most of the company's accounts are domestic, although "we are looking at accounts overseas, too," Mr. Brownfield said. "They are very interested in the Red Wings because of the onions' excellent shelf life and bright, red color. Foodservice really likes this onion because it has minimal shrink."
"Our project volume of organics is increasing by 50 percent," Sales Manager Bill Brownfield said in early March. The company, which specializes in contracts and has offices here and in Quincy, WA, packs at three primary facilities in the Northwest and offers sweet and hybrid onions year round.
Mr. Brownfield, also known as Sweet Willie, said that organics, new to the Sweet Clover manifest, are being sold by his son, Pat Brownfield. The younger Mr. Brownfield joined Sweet Clover in 2007 and is also working in transportation for the operation.
"We've only been in organics a short time and are already seeing strong sales," Bill Brownfield continued. "Quality sells, and it looks like [the category] will continue to grow exponentially."
Well known for its single-center Red Wing variety onions grown by Grigg & Sons in Washington state, Sweet Clover also handles Walla Walla sweets during the season as well as Vidalias. In mid-April, organic Vidalias will be available, Mr. Brownfield added.
"And our Washington sweet organics grown by Mark and Jim, the Grotz brothers, will be available starting in July," Mr. Brownfield went on to say.
Strong volumes continue on Red Wings, he said, noting, "We have excellent storage crop into May. And we are increasing our Washington onion acreage for summer and fall 2008 by about 20 percent, which means we will be basically year round on reds with volume heavy to Red Wings."
The reds are being shipped in 25- and 40-pound cartons, and Mr. Brownfield said, "We're seeing substantial demand for jumbos and colossals at retail level."
Sweet Clover works with a large foodservice base as well, and the sales manager said that Red Wings have seen an up tick in that market segment "because of the high percentage of single centers, especially in colossals and large jumbos."
Most of the company's accounts are domestic, although "we are looking at accounts overseas, too," Mr. Brownfield said. "They are very interested in the Red Wings because of the onions' excellent shelf life and bright, red color. Foodservice really likes this onion because it has minimal shrink."
