Why Pacific Northwest Fruit Sourcing Is a Strategic Advantage for Food Brands

Pacific Northwest fruit is the best fruit. We aren’t shy about that. Incorporating Pacific Northwest fruit offers strategic advantages for food brands seeking differentiation and growth.

But why? What is it about Pacific Northwest fruit that sets it apart from all of the rest?

Before diving into the answer, it is essential to understand the current state of the food and beverage industry. Consumer, market, and economic forces give Pacific Northwest fruit a clear formulation edge.

For nearly a decade now, there has been a growing preference for food innovation that contributes to overall health and well-being. This has given rise to recent functional and better-for-you trends. And it has consistently highlighted a desire for naturalness and cleaner ingredients.

Clean Label Ingredients

A poll conducted by Food Industry Executive found that 50% of respondents identified clean-label ingredients as the fastest-growing demand. This figure doubled the 25% cited for functional foods. Ingredion’s 2023 Atlas Survey found that 78% of consumers would pay more for clean-label claims, despite inflation.

However, as was hinted at, this is nothing new. A 2016 survey discovered that 73% of consumers are happy to pay a higher retail price for products made with ingredients they recognize and trust. Still, while consumers may be willing to pay more for the item, they will not sacrifice on taste or quality in the name of clean-label claims.

These pressures are compounded by rising costs driven by inflation, supply chain instability, and shifting tariff policies. None of which appear to be easing anytime soon. As tariffs increase, the value of Pacific Northwest fruit sourcing continues to rise.

This is where the passion of local growers, quality, and unmistakable taste of Pacific Northwest fruit can change the game for food developers.

The Role of Pacific Northwest fruit in today’s food industry

Whether you’re talking about dark, sweet cherries, crisp tart apples, medleys of berries, and more, Pacific Northwest fruit has long been popular around the world for its premium taste and quality.

Take the Oregon Strawberry, literally one of, if not the best, strawberries you’re ever going to find. While it may seem like we are saying this because Ever Fresh is the second largest purchaser of Oregon strawberries, that is not the full story. The largest purchaser is an ice cream brand from Japan.

This speaks volumes, considering Japan is internationally recognized for its craftsmanship and desire to source only the best ingredients.

Understanding the reputation of Pacific Northwest fruit starts by understanding the land and the people behind it.

Agricultural Practices That Make Pacific Northwest Fruit Stand Out

In the Pacific Northwest, soil quality and climate create a clear advantage. This is where the Pacific Northwest has a distinct advantage over various regions of the US, and other countries for that matter.

Let’s start with the soil.

Ancient volcanic activity makes Cascadian soil naturally rich in nutrients. A temperate climate with warm days and cool nights further supports decomposition and soil fertility.

Moreover, the sandy, less clay-like consistency provides for better drainage and natural optimization of water absorption.

This lends itself to another concern of consumers and companies alike: sustainability.

Sustainable fruit product starts in the fields.

The wetter climate, quite literally, lends itself to water conservation naturally. Especially in comparison to our nearest major agricultural center in California, which often has to source its water from other states.

Yet, this isn’t limited only to consistent rainfall. Some berry farms along the Columbia River use natural water tables to irrigate fields without additional equipment. In addition to water conservation, local protections allow for a flourishing of local wildlife, especially natural pollinators.

Fostering sustainability with habitats and relationships

From honeybees to butterflies, beetles, and more, the protection and promotion of pollinator habitats helps foster an even greater level of sustainable fruit production.

Natural and organic production methods strengthen the clean-label appeal. This ideal blend of climate conditions, superior soil, and local conservation efforts create the perfect canvas for cultivation. Yet, it is the generations of growers that make Pacific Northwest fruit possible.

For us at Ever Fresh, it’s our deep personal relationships and commitment to them that enables us to help developers leverage the power and potential of Pacific Northwest fruit for themselves.

Strengthening the Fruit Supply Chain Through Local Sourcing

Ever Fresh began over five decades ago as a fruit stand focused on high-quality, all-natural, local fruit.  Though we’ve come a long way since those humble beginnings, the strong relationships that helped us thrive way back then remain our strength to this day.

We consider it a privilege to visit farms in person and see product quality firsthand. This direct access allows us to understand exactly how each crop is performing. It’s knowing that not only will your calls get answered, but there will also be constant communication between you and these growers. When external factors affect pricing or yields, you are among the first to know through trusted grower relationships.

Premium Fruits Thriving

For us, this isn’t just about the strength of our business and our customers’ business; it’s about wanting to keep Pacific Northwest fruit thriving.

This becomes even more important when we consider the limited supply of these premium fruits.  

Data from the Oregon Department of Agriculture shows that Oregon strawberries are becoming increasingly premium. Annual yields dropped from 40.1 million pounds in 2001 to roughly 11 million pounds in 2021. With nearly half the harvest accounted for, Oregon strawberries have become even more premium.

This limited supply is not a drawback for companies partnering with Ever Fresh. Instead, it adds stability and resiliency to the supply chain. This is especially valuable amid volatility caused by shifting tariff policies on fruit imports.

Addressing Cost Concerns

There’s no way around it, Pacific Northwest fruit is a premium product. And with better taste, higher quality, and cleaner label claims usually comes a more premium price tag. Again, we won’t beat around the blackberry bush, but this is also true.

However, while this may have created a barrier for some developers in the past, those walls may be coming down. With the implementation of sweeping international tariffs, global supply chain issues, and a growing need for traceability, Pacific Northwest fruit has now become a premium product that also offers premium upside for companies.

Premium freshness

This may not move the needle for some. Still, as international brokers struggle to balance varying duty rates from country to country and other externalities, the value provided by high-quality US-grown fruit is getting harder to ignore. Increased costs are putting pressure on international growers and suppliers. As a result, their pricing is beginning to align with what was once considered the premium price point of Pacific Northwest fruit.

Rising costs for international suppliers are bringing global produce prices closer to Pacific Northwest fruit pricing.

Companies must also consider the stacks of paperwork involved in international sourcing. This often requires reliance on third parties to manage inspections and audits, which can affect timing and cost. The variables begin to add up quickly.

In addition to tariffs, choosing local fruit helps companies save time and money on shipping, while also obtaining a product at the peak of freshness. This is where one starts to realize that in the current market climate, Pacific Northwest fruit isn’t just a cost-competitive choice. It serves as the anchor of a strategy for resilience and differentiation.

Sourcing, Traceability, Resiliency

Relationships with local growers are the backbone of our business. They also provide resilience and peace of mind for our customers amid ongoing uncertainty. Unlike international sourcing, our team can experience the orchard firsthand and interact directly with growers. This gives us early insight into the upcoming season and what the year ahead may hold.

This means that even in the dead of winter, our communication continues. Allowing us to get necessary information in advance, knowing where to shift if needed.  This also illustrates the added level of trust established over decades, and ensures that when troubles do arise, our partners’ needs will be among the first to get taken care of.

Traceability important amongst consumers and regulators 

Fortunately, with Pacific Northwest fruit, “traceability” and “concern” are two words that don’t really need to appear in the same sentence. From soil to shelf or harvest to high-heat processing, we know every step of the journey in the fruit supply chain. That gives our partners and their consumers one less thing to worry about.

To this point, we’ve looked at a lot of the “practical” benefits Pacific Northwest fruit provides in terms of cost, sustainability, and reliability. But how does it win over consumers and inspire food innovation?

Opportunities for Food Developers with Pacific Northwest Fruit

Unfortunately, the issues facing developers don’t stay with just the developers. No, the trickle-down effect is real, and it’s killing brand loyalty.

A study from Ernst & Young found that 60% of consumers still see brands as a significant factor in purchase decisions. At the same time, 35% no longer feel brands play a major role in their choices. More than half of consumers would consider switching to private labels. And 40% felt that “improvements” to products were actually a guise for cost-cutting measures.

The reality is that shoppers in every tax bracket are having to tighten their proverbial belts at the supermarket. This means loyalty to a brand has to be earned through the right balance of quality, taste, specific claims, and affordability

Pacific Northwest fruit delivers on all of these fronts.

With exceptional taste, clean-label, sustainability, and improved cost competitiveness, these fruits help maintain loyalty and drive success.

From a food product formulation perspective, they make it easy as well. Packed with flavor and freshness, their abundant sweetness naturally lends itself to no-added and reduced sugar trends. In addition to enhancing palatability with better color and texture, higher brix levels, and more.

Not only are they better ingredients on their own, but they also help developers create better bases.  Pair that with the experience and creativity of Ever Fresh’s development team, and developers have everything they need to find inspiration and drive product innovation.

Why Food Brands Should Invest in Pacific Northwest Fruit

Few things in life are really as much of a sure thing, or a slam dunk, as they seem. However, finding ways to leverage the advantages of Pacific Northwest fruit in your formulations might actually be one of them.

We can help you take full advantage of Pacific Northwest fruit sourcing, from development to commercialization support. Let us strengthen your formulations with the premium fruit choices that consumers trust.

And we’re not shy about saying that, either.