Chelan Fresh Marketing takes on sales and marketing for E.W. Brandt
Chelan Fresh Marketing takes on sales and marketing for E.W. Brandt
Starting with the 2008 pear and apple crops, sales and marketing for the entire fruit manifest of Wapato, WA-based E.W. Brandt & Sons Inc. will be handled by Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA.
The collaboration provides buyers with fruit from Washington's two primary fruit-growing regions: the Yakima Valley in the state's midsection on the eastern side of the Cascade Range and the Wenatchee-Chelan region further to the northeast.
Brandt President Lynnell Brandt said that the marketing agreement provides his company with increased access to larger retail customers, a move that is becoming increasingly important as retail continues to consolidate.
Moreover, Steve Terry, Chelan Fresh's chief executive officer and general manager, told The Produce News that the addition of E.W. Brandts production will complement the volume provided by Obert Cold Storage, which for several years has been Chelan's sole producer in the Yakima area.
"We're starting with the new-crop apples and pears," Mr. Terry said July 11. "We will incorporate that fruit into our sales operation, with the majority going to retail and some going to export, foodservice and wholesale as well."
He added that Chelan Fresh's volume would see an 8-10 percent increase with the Brandt fruit, which he noted "will give us more of a foothold in the Yakima Valley."
Brandt will market its own stone fruit and cherries this year, with Chelan assuming that role in 2009.
Mr. Terry said that all packing of Brandt-grown fruit, produced by the family- owned, fifth-generation orchard operations, will continue at the Wapato facility, and the packinghouse will also pack for other growers.
Chelan Fresh Marketing itself was established in 2004 through a merger between Altafresh and Chelan Fruit Co. Altafresh was a collaboration of Gwin, White & Prince, Brewster Heights Packing and Magi Fruit in Brewster; Chelan Fruit was a collaboration between Trout-Blue Chelan and Magi. Chelan Fresh Marketing was created to oversee sales and marketing for the multi-grower cooperative.
The collaboration provides buyers with fruit from Washington's two primary fruit-growing regions: the Yakima Valley in the state's midsection on the eastern side of the Cascade Range and the Wenatchee-Chelan region further to the northeast.
Brandt President Lynnell Brandt said that the marketing agreement provides his company with increased access to larger retail customers, a move that is becoming increasingly important as retail continues to consolidate.
Moreover, Steve Terry, Chelan Fresh's chief executive officer and general manager, told The Produce News that the addition of E.W. Brandts production will complement the volume provided by Obert Cold Storage, which for several years has been Chelan's sole producer in the Yakima area.
"We're starting with the new-crop apples and pears," Mr. Terry said July 11. "We will incorporate that fruit into our sales operation, with the majority going to retail and some going to export, foodservice and wholesale as well."
He added that Chelan Fresh's volume would see an 8-10 percent increase with the Brandt fruit, which he noted "will give us more of a foothold in the Yakima Valley."
Brandt will market its own stone fruit and cherries this year, with Chelan assuming that role in 2009.
Mr. Terry said that all packing of Brandt-grown fruit, produced by the family- owned, fifth-generation orchard operations, will continue at the Wapato facility, and the packinghouse will also pack for other growers.
Chelan Fresh Marketing itself was established in 2004 through a merger between Altafresh and Chelan Fruit Co. Altafresh was a collaboration of Gwin, White & Prince, Brewster Heights Packing and Magi Fruit in Brewster; Chelan Fruit was a collaboration between Trout-Blue Chelan and Magi. Chelan Fresh Marketing was created to oversee sales and marketing for the multi-grower cooperative.
