Broetje Orchards, WA (First Fruits of Washington)

 

Privately owned: Ralph Broetje – largest privately owned orchards in the US

 

Jurisdiction: B’s is a single grower

 

Products:

Varietal apples, cherries

 

Organic:

Of 5000 total acres of orchards, 550 acres are certified organic

 

Food safety:

Certified safe "seed to table"

SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified for packing/warehousing and farming operation

PurFresh (purifies, protects, preserves) Program

 

Green:

Implemented use of PurFresh Technologies’ wash and storage solutions – reduces use of chemicals in processing and overall environmental impact

 

Pesticide use:

Organic acreage is "isolated from pest pressure"

Pruning

 

Fertilizer use:

Avoids use of chemicals or environmentally harmful products

 

Sustainable:

Stewards of labor force and the land – protect the worker’s environment

Alternating irrigation

 

Independent testing:

SQF

HACCP: Yes

Fair Trade: Yes

OSHA certified

 

Comments:

Committed to sustainability – converted arid wasteland into worker’s housing, day care center and school

75% profits are donated to Christian charities