There’s a new name in apple sales in Wenatchee, Washington, this fall, as Linda Fruit launches to leverage the existing relationships of its sister company, Crunch Pak, into the fresh market.

Crunch Pak, a processor known for its fresh-cut fruit, saw an opportunity to contract with growers for their whole crop and then divide the harvest between fresh market, sliced and dried or other value-added products to find the most valuable home for each apple, according to a press release from Linda Fruit. 

“Linda Fruit gives us an opportunity to build on capabilities and relationships that already exist within the Crunch Pak business. Our focus is on being a dependable partner and finding the right opportunities for fruit while creating value for growers, customers and industry partners,” said Mike Auvil, general manager, in the release.

This season, Linda Fruit is focused on apples, working with grower partners in Washington, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania to put premium-quality fruit into the fresh market and provide growers more certainty that all their fruit will find its highest-value market opportunity, according to the release.

“We want to build strong, long-term relationships with our customers and growers and continue looking for ways to create value together,” said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, director of sales and marketing, in the release. •