Columbia Valley Fruit Owners

Columbia Valley Owners (l-r): Orlin Knutson, Tom Tudor, Bill Monson, Mark Tudor, Chris Vizena

Chelan Fresh has entered an agreement to be the exclusive marketer of Columbia Valley Fruit’s organic and conventional apples from September this year.

The move comes just over a month after Chelan Fresh announced a high-profile merger with follow leading US apple producer Borton Fruit.

Under the terms of the agreement, Columbia Valley’s fruit will be marketed under the organic Cascade Crest label and the internationally recognised Trout label.

Chelan Fresh chief executive Tom Riggan said the company’s customers value the high-quality, strong varietal mix that Columbia Valley Fruit brings to the market.

“Columbia Valley Fruit has a long history as one of Washington State’s premium organic fruit grower-packers,” Riggan explained. 'We are very excited to be working with the Columbia Valley family.”

Having set up one of the first organic apple orchards in Washington State, Columbia Valley Fruit has nearly 30 years of experience growing, packing and storing high demand organic and conventional apple varieties.

The company is a certified organic handler by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and helps its farmers grow in accordance with the National Organic Program Standards.

“Our growers are our top priority - whether it be providing support and guidance to produce great quality fruit, or making strategic moves to assure top returns for their efforts,' said Orlin Knutson, partner and spokesperson for Columbia Valley Fruit.

'We are confident that the market access achieved through this alliance with Chelan Fresh will provide our growers with exciting economic opportunities well into the future.'