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Stemilt Apples Organic, WA
Family owned by Mathisons for five generations
Brian Vertrees – Customer Services Manager
Jurisdiction over other family orchards in CA and WA – manages growers’ orchards and advises partners to maintain family standards
Products:
Apples, blueberries, cherries, pears, peaches, nectarines, pluots, apricots, Apple Sweets (sliced flavored apple snacks)
22% organic/78% non
"Artisan Organics" line since 1989
All peaches and nectarines are 100% certified organic
The first designated organic packing plant in the state
2000 acres organic orchards
Organic farming requires closer management meaning more time, labor and resources
Food safety:
SQF-HACCP program
GAP
Green:
Half vehicles are electric
Composting
Minimal, environmentally friendly packaging; recycle company paper for cardboard trays
Energy use monitored
Pesticide use:
IPM – natural predators including trained falcons to ward off birds !!!
Pheromones, insecticidal soaps, dormant oils
Beneficial insects, cover crops, mulching, mechanical methods
Fertilizer use:
Manure, bone and fish meal, minerals, compost
Sustainable:
Strict water conservation
"Responsible Choice" program – sustainability and social responsibility – stewards of land, water and community
Fair Trade certified? No
Other state and federal certifications:
USDA Certified Organic, Certified Organic Producers of Washington State
Dept. of Labor/OSHA
Follows all requirements
Comments:
Participates in "Go Organic" – Earth Day
Partners with Sesame Street Workshop’s "Heathy Habits for Life"
2008 Green Washington award