1 We understand your risks and challenges. Mast said marketers understand the huge risks that growers take when planting orchards. Increasing production costs and retailers’ food safety requirements are just adding to the challenges. “We want to make sure that small family farmers stay in existence,” he said. “If there are too many requirements, they aren’t going to make it. We’re trying to do a good job of educating the retailers on what it takes to get product from farm to fork.” Mast said marketers like to bring retailers out to Washington State and tour them through orchards and packing […]