BELDING, MI - Fall is the time to practice gratitude for the relationships we hold dear to our hearts. As we dive headfirst into the season, BelleHarvest Sales shared some gratitude for the grower partners it works with this time of year to ensure a diverse and high-quality apple supply: Wittenbach Orchards, Twin Bee Orchards, and Umlor Orchards, all based in Michigan.
“These grower partnerships are crucial to maintaining a consistently high-quality apple supply,” said Casey Jarrard, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Each of these orchards has a history of producing top-tier apples, and their commitment to quality aligns with our standards. Through regular communication and collaboration, we work together to implement best practices in cultivation, harvesting, and storage, ensuring the apples meet and exceed quality expectations.”
Casey went on to explain that the current outlook for the season from BelleHarvest’s grower partners is positive. Weather conditions and crop health are favorable, and the company anticipates a bountiful harvest of premium apples.
“For the 2023–2024 season, we anticipate a crop volume similar to last year, with Michigan's apple harvest having begun in the second or third week of August. The expected selling timetable will span the entire year as we provide apples year-round from our cold storage facilities,” Casey told me.
BelleHarvest’s commitment to sustainability and the recent expansion of its facilities are also exemplary of the supplier’s dedication to excellence, such as the BelleHarvest West facility and the acquisition of Valley View Company.
“These developments significantly enhance our capacity and access to premium apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, EverCrisp, and SweeTango,” Casey added. “These investments underline our dedication to providing consumers with high-quality apples year-round and fortify our position as a leading grower and supplier in the Michigan apple industry.”
As the season progresses, we look forward to seeing what other partnerships come to fruition. Keep reading ANUK to stay up to date.
