Auvil Fruit Company, WA "Gee Whiz" brand

 

Owned by Auvil family since 1928, President and GM: Jim Wright

 

Jurisdiction: A few select growers adhere to company philosophy

 

Products:

Apples (first to introduce Granny Smith and Fuji), Cherries

Organic: Not organically grown, but uses innovative organic washing process: PurFresh

 

Food Safety:

SQF 2000 HAACP

 

Green:

Works with The Tree Research Commission and WA State Univ. on improved storage, packing and shipping materials

 

Pesticide use:

"Nutriclean" pesticide detection system certified – evaluation and testing for residue meeting "child protection" levels

IPM – predator insects and soft insecticides

 

Fertilizer use:

Controlled use of water reduces need for fertilizer

Nutrient applications

GPS allows for better knowledge of soil types and amendments to use

 

Crop rotation: N/A

 

Sustainable:

Irrigation management, trellis growing (trains trees toward sunlight and allows more trees per acre = increased growing efficiency)

Water usage lessened by use of PurFresh wash system

 

Independent testing:

Nutriclean nutrient testing

Agri-Check pesticide detection

 

HAACP: yes

 

Other state/federal certification:

The Tree Research Commission

WA State Univ. R&D

 

Fair trade:

 

DOL/OSHA:

Compliant

 

Comments/Initiatives/Other:

Innovator of concept of following product from tree to check out counter to provide consumers with the highest quality fruit