Growing with growers since 1946
  • May 1st 2026 Issue
  • Story by Ross Courtney
  • Quality controllers for fruit consumers

    A day in the life of a state fruit inspector.

    —Washington apple shippers like to boast about quality. To cement that reputation, they established the first apple grades in the U.S. in 1915. Inspections started in 1922, funded by industry commission payments, and continue to this day. Read on to learn more about the inspectors in the state’s fruit and vegetable program who make sure those boasts are true.

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