Broetje Organic Orchards, WA
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