Catherine Gipe-Stewart of Superfresh Growers® Shares Season Update and OPS Preview
YAKIMA, WA - Apples, pears, cherries, and blueberries! They’re all coming to the Organic Produce Summit show floor as Superfresh Growers® brings its full organic portfolio to the Monterey, California, event. Attendees will get the chance to explore all four offerings, in addition to other aspects of growth for Superfresh.
“July is an ideal time to showcase our portfolio as we are in the heart of blueberry and cherry season and are preparing for the new crop apple and pear season,” says Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Director of Marketing. “We are off to a strong start for our 2023 crops with organic blueberries. Seventy percent of our crop this year is certified organic, a trend that matches the demand we’ve experienced this season.”
As Catherine shares, Superfresh is gearing up for a healthy-sized apple and pear crop. The grower will start the new crop with Organic Bartletts around the second week of August, followed by Organic Gala the next week.
The grower is also seeing great quality on its cherries and blueberries. In February 2023, Superfresh Growers added a new cherry production line in Zillah, Washington, which has increased its production capabilities by 30 percent.
“The timing of this expansion was ideal with the large cherry crop we are experiencing this summer,” Catherine notes. “We are able to move the fruit from the orchard through production and ship faster than industry averages, as we have more sorting and packing capabilities.”
Other elements of growth for Superfesh include the promotion of Conner O’Malley to President earlier this year.
“Conner has fostered a team-centric mindset at Superfresh Growers, empowering teammates, growers, and customers,” adds Catherine. “Conner has led structural and organizational changes in an effort to create growth opportunities and empower team leadership. With his visionary perspective, Conner is poised to build a bridge to the company's future, ensuring its continued success.”
As it looks to long-term growth, Superfresh Growers plans to further expand its product offerings and volume through planting, land acquisition, and the addition of new packing lines.
Dig deeper into the endless growth of this brand with a stop by booth #406 at the Organic Produce Summit!
