The Fruit Company

We at The Fruit Company are so very thankful to all current and former members of the military that have served the United States of America!  Thank you Veterans!

I was on the verge of reporting nothing.  That’s right, nothing.  After scouring unsuccessfully for exciting Memorial Day weekend community events, I was ready to concede Memorial Day to the quiet background of family picnics, barbecues, camp outs and grave side memorials.  Thankfully, it’s my research skills, not Hood River’s social life that needs some work.

So here they are, Memorial Day happenings in the Hood River Valley. Read more

The Fruit Company CEO, Scott Webster, will be speaking Monday, May 10, at 6:30 pm for the Farmlife speaking event focusing on Thinking outside the Barn.  Be sure to join the community as we hear multiple speakers discuss new ideas and strategies that are outside the scope of the farm.

Thinking Outside the “Barn”
Adding Value to Farms & Farm Products

An apple is an apple is an apple—right? Not anymore. Grocery stores operate with buzzwords and price differences. And farmers find new ways to compete by specializing in organic or artisan goods or by exploring ways to process raw goods into “new” options or simply by using marketing and the global economy to expand sales. What are the economic and ethical risks and rewards faced by farmers? What should consumers know about “value-added agriculture”? Representatives from local agribusinesses and the Gorge Grown Food Network will share their experiences and their plans for the future.

Speakers: Gary Willis & Don Stevens, Gorge Delights; Scott Webster, The Fruit Company; Representative, Gorge Grown Food Network

Our hearts are with those in Haiti.  With so many lost and even more hurting the nation is in need.  If you would like to help, go to the American Red Cross and donate here.

mach zehnder modulatorAs the holiday weekend approaches and the kids get excited for the flashing spectacle that awaits them on Saturday night, the men dust off the BBQ, and all prepare for the social holiday of the year, sometimes the reason and cause is easily forgotten.  Why are we celebrating? It is amazing when actually sitting down to read the Declaration of Independence to see the passion, determination, and dedication that were shown by those men who signed it as representatives of a people that had been trod on and had their rights stripped from them.I feel it is thus appropriate to remember their key words as we celebrate (whole heartedly) the steps that they took to create our nation.

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Even today these words are just as powerful and meaningful.  Have a wonderful 4^th of July!

All that can be said for today was written a century ago and comes to my mind every year on this day that we remember those who died for our Country.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

by Jed, eCommerce/CS

As I drove aimlessly down the strip on my first trip through Bingen Washington I noticed out of the side window a sign that spoke of pizza. Weeks later wanting something that tasted good, and being too lazy to actually go home and cook, we turned into the gravel parking of Solstice Wood fire Café. After examining the menu, which was varied and filled with an assortment of creative pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and pasta a decision was made. It seemed as though the build your own option was the best way to satisfy the taste buds. 15-20 minutes later after topping of a salad, we dug in to the wood fire baked pizza.
There is something to be said for this method of baking. The pizza came out with a great taste and texture that was immensely enjoyed. Also a great touch was the fact that they offered a whole grain crust that made my guilty conscious somehow feels better!
Overall this was a great pizza and fun environment. On a hot day there is nothing better than sitting out in the shade outdoor eating area that is a relaxing setting to have a cold drink and have a taste of what is quickly becoming a must stop in the gorge. Having been there multiple times now I can’t help but not recommend the Chicken pasta special. Its always a great choice! You can’t ask for a healthier, hip, local spot to stop and enjoy a taste of what the gorge has to offer.

Click here to check out their menu!

One of my favorite times of the year is nearly here… the flowering trees growing at the lower elevation along the Columbia River have already begun blooming, and the trees up the valley where our facility is located are about to burst into bloom. We’re talking acres upon acres upon acres of white and pink blossoms from the valley’s pear, apple, cherry, and peach trees. Absolutely stunning. With the forecast for phenomenal weather this weekend (77 degrees and sunny!), those remaining buds will pop open at just the right time.

Naturally we celebrate this gorgeous time of year with the Hood River Valley Blossom Festival, taking place this year on April 19th and 20th. Thousands of people from around the world come to our charming hamlet to view the cheerful blooms set against the looming snow-capped peaks of the Cascade mountains and relish the opening weekend for many of our local fruit, food and craft stands located all along the Fruit Loop.

Here at The Fruit Company we’re cleaning up the store for its one-day-only debut, to happen on Saturday the 19th, before closing again until Memorial Weekend. We fully encourage anyone who is taking the weekend to visit the Hood River Valley to stop by that day, say hi, and snag up any of the delicious gourmet goodies we’ll have on hand. We look forward to seeing you!

by Stephanie, Graphic Designer – Brand Manager

This year’s Harvest Festival rang in the season not only with a bounty of fresh produce and handcrafted goods, but also heavy doses of rain, rain, rain. Despite the inclement weather thousands flocked to the Hood River Expo Center to find a pumpkin, eat a New York City Sub, and get started on holiday shopping. We had a shiny, happy green booth right at the entrance, where we proudly displayed our catalog photos, new baskets, and (the most popular) ample samples of our Chocolate Covered Cherries, Blueberries, and Pistachios, among other fine edibles available for purchase.

There we also had the chance to meet a number of loyal customers and personally hand them the new catalog, which was more than well-received. In fact several began brainstorming ideas for business gifts for the holidays on the computer kiosk we had set up.

The above picture is our Fruit Buyer Nasario and myself at the booth with a young fruit lover signing up to win a 12 month HarvestClub Classic. I can’t tell you if she won or not, but she was determined and knew that by signing up herself AND her mother she was increasing her odds at winning. I had no idea raffles were taught in schools these days.

Overall the festival was a great time and we all had fun partaking in the fervor and appreciation for local goods and the beauty of the season. Raindrops and all.

For a more in depth synopsis of the weekend, head on over to the Hood River County Blog. You can still order exclusive t-shirts with the always gorgeous work of Mark Nilsson emblazoned on the front!

by Stephanie, Graphic Designer – Brand Manager

The region’s biggest event and celebration of the harvest season will start off with a (literal) bang this Friday. For the first time a dazzling array of fireworks worthy of any July 4th will light up the night sky over the Columbia River, kicking off 3 days of homegrown favorites, homespun crafts, homemade gourmet treats, and all around merry-making at the Expo Center. In short: food, beverages, music, buyables, frivolity.

This year we’re a happy sponsor of the event and will have a giant green booth (that’s grown to be more like an exhibit) featuring some of our gourmet chocolates and edibles, copies of our brand-spankin’-new catalog that debuts this week in mailboxes nationwide, actual pear trees, a computer kiosk for ordering gifts, and our smiling faces. If you visit us on Friday or Saturday and say the blog sent ya we’ll give you a free box of our famous Chocolate Covered Cherries just for being attentive out there in the blogosphere. We love you that much!

We’ve also uncovered some recognition for the Harvest Festival. The incessantly useful Epicurious.com’s blog Epi Log gave us a shout out in its listing of the best food events worth seeing in the country this week. The Best of Portland Blog lists the festival under a plethora of categories including Best Annual Events, Best Entertainment, and Best Art. The always impressive Travel Oregon proudly shouts out the festival in its Oregon Bounty feature. Considering it drew over 21,000 people last year it’s easy to see that the word has spread greatly over the past 25 years.

If you’re smart (and if you have a a free day or two) come see the festival and all the related events in the area this weekend. The foliage on the slopes of the Hood and Columbia Rivers is some of the finest in the nation (the Gorge is frequently named in the top 10 spots for colorful fall leaves) and truly at its peak right now. Celebrate the harvest with us and our friends! More information can be found with the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. See you then!