Company Press Release — Packing a large majority of the Pacific Rose apples grown in the U.S., Crane Family Orchards is especially proud of this season’s crop which is shipping now.
In 1912 when George Crane planted the orchard’s first trees in Brewster, Washington, he may never have imagined that his great-great-granddaughters would specialize in a unique Splendour-Gala cross that originated in faraway New Zealand. Now spanning 1,300 acres and run by sisters Rachel and Kaylan Crane, Crane Family Orchards has made the crisp, sweet Pacific Rose™ apple famous since 2001.
“The attraction to the apple came from my uncle who brought on the variety at the time,” said Rachel Crane, CEO of Crane Family Orchards. “It’s been a great variety for us and has helped my family’s farm stay independent. The apple has had great success in the export market.”
T&G Global, the Auckland, New Zealand-based brand owner, will officially debut a refreshed brand and brand positioning for the apple—which the Cranes have already begun teasing with the release of the new PLU—this month.
“The reason why we’ve always had a great fit with the Cranes is because they have an export oriented mentality which is what we grew up with in New Zealand. They’re consistently striving to grow the best quality to compete in the global market,” said David Nelley, vice president of categories at Oppy, the full-service fresh produce marketing company who introduced North American retailers to Pacific Rose™ nearly two decades ago. “We value the Crane Family Orchards’ experience in growing and packing the best colored Pacific Rose™ apples in the world and we embrace taking their story to our customer base and consumers.”
“It’s a really pleasant eating apple with its delicate sweet flavor and we’re lucky it stores really well,” Rachel continued. “We look forward to continue growing the best Pacific Rose™ possible as we head into the future.”
