YAKIMA, WA - While us Californians are climbing out of the thick of winter, the season is just ramping up for growers in Washington. Mountains are filling with snow across the state as growers anticipate the subsequent flow of water that will kick off their season. This period of time is crucial for planning, and Superfresh Growers® recently launched an orchard update to showcase how the company is using its time.
“The winter is a little bit of a slower time for us as a company, at least on the farm side,” says Dave Gleason, Horticulturist and Proprietary Variety Developer. “In the warehouse and the offices, of course, we are busy making plans, examining our apples, and looking at the quality of what we’ve done in this last year and considering how we can make it better.”
In the video below, Gleason also draws attention to what is on the forefront of the industry’s mind: sustainability. Superfresh is establishing new orchards and examining soil health in order to sustain healthy growing practices for years to come.
“We want to make sure we have good soil because that gives us good trees and good fruit,” explains Gleason. “At the same time, we’re thinking of future generations, and here at Superfresh Growers, many of our growers, and ourselves, are multiple generations.”
Lastly, the video touches on how Autumn Glory® and Cosmic Crisp® apple varieties are making waves not only for Superfresh, but for the apple industry as a whole. Gleason says that learning to grow and market these new varieties requires an examination of the company’s entire business model, describing it as a “holistic approach to apple management.”
Be sure to check out the video above for more on how Superfresh Growers is making the most of the winter season. As always, stick with us at ANUK for the industry’s latest.
