YAKIMA, WA - News of an acquisition within the industry hit the wires this morning. FirstFruits Farms recently announced the successful acquisition of Applewood Orchards and Applewood Fresh Growers, a move that marks a significant milestone as the company continues to expand.

"We are excited to welcome Applewood Fresh and Applewood Orchards into the FirstFruits Farms family," said Chuck Zeutenhorst, Vice President of Marketing, FirstFruits Farms. "This acquisition aligns perfectly with our mission to provide top tier produce and service to our customers while embracing innovation and growth opportunities."

According to a press release, the two companies will work jointly to provide customers with diverse product offerings across apples, cherries, and pears.

This collaboration not only bolsters volume capabilities, but also enhances the ability to serve customers in the Midwest and East Coast with certain freight advantages, supply chain efficiencies, and transit time reductions. As you can imagine, this allows both companies to better serve their unique customer base.

Another major highlight of this acquisition is the expanded offering of new club apple varieties specific to Applewood Orchards. Apart from key varieties, Applewood Orchards also grows Rave™, SweeTango®, Ambrosia, and EverCrisp®.

“Applewood Orchards has built a strong reputation for its dedication and passion to grow, pack, and deliver high-quality fresh apples,” stated Scott Swindeman, President and Managing Partner of Applewood Fresh Growers. “Our family’s commitment over the years to innovative growing methods, sustainability, and community aligns seamlessly with the values at FirstFruits Farms. This is a great match, which strengthens both companies.”

The acquisition also includes the Swindeman family’s partnership in Elite Packing, which is located in Sparta, Michigan.

For the latest in timely fresh produce news, keep reading ANUK.

FirstFruits Farms