WENATCHEE, WA - There is always something exciting in the works at CMI Orchards. From progressive concepts to dynamic execution, this is one company I always look forward to speaking with, whether that be on a show floor or in the midst of a busy summer of launches and showcases. At this year’s Organic Produce Summit, this team of innovative individuals brought their organic vision to the forefront, leaving attendees wowed and excited for more.

“At this year’s Organic Produce Summit, CMI Orchards introduced CMI SOARS—our new sustainability platform representing our commitment to Sustainable Orchards and Regenerative Systems,” Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing, shares with me. “This includes major advancements at The Soil Center in Royal City, where we’re pioneering regenerative agriculture practices to enhance soil health, carbon sequestration, and long-term orchard vitality.”

The team also showcased its comprehensive lineup of flavor-forward fruit. This program highlighted its organic brands, including Organic Ambrosia Gold®, KIKU®, Kanzi®, Envy™, Jazz™, Cosmic Crisp®, and core organic apples and pears, plus cherries, each backed by dynamic, eye-catching merchandising to help retailers drive sales and stand out in the organic set.

“CMI is investing across the entire supply chain to meet surging demand for organics. That includes expanding organic acreage, deploying regenerative farming practices, and adopting our ‘zero burn commitment’ to reduce emissions across our orchards where tree wood is removed,” Rochelle details. “We’re also investing in innovative packaging and merchandising solutions that tell the organic story at retail, making it easier for shoppers to identify, trust, and choose our fruit. Our SOARS initiative further supports farm-to-shelf transparency, empowering buyers with tools to communicate environmental impact and sustainability progress to their consumers and support retailer emissions-reduction goals.”

Change on the organic front will see leaps and bounds as both suppliers and buyers seek further collaboration to raise the bar in the category.

“We believe the future of organic produce lies in deeper, more collaborative partnerships built on transparency, innovation, and shared sustainability goals. As shoppers become increasingly eco-conscious, we see retailers and suppliers working together not just to offer organic options, but to elevate their environmental story,” Rochelle explains. “Programs like SOARS and carbon-negative farming give our retail partners an edge in meeting climate-conscious shopper demand while securing long-term supply through regenerative systems that sustain soil health and orchard productivity for generations. CMI is officially producing carbon-negative fruit, and our vision is to partner with retailers to educate consumers on what this means and build value for regenerative products at the store.”

CMI is not only building organic programs, but regenerative legacies.