HOME OUR FRUIT RECIPES PAIROLOGY HEALTHY LIVING FARM WITH US ORGANIC NEWS & FAQs

Organic Stories What Is Organic Organic Farming Packing Organics Organic Availability Responsible Choice Community Outreach Composting Conservation Efforts

Social Responsibility & Community Outreach

 

As a major employer in the Wenatchee Valley, Stemilt strongly believes it has a duty to give back to its community. That’s why we’ve ramped up our social responsibility efforts in recent years, by launching programs for our employees and offering continued support of our local community groups and events. Recent examples of our social responsibility efforts include:

Employee Programs: Our employees power our business day in and day out by committing their time and energy towards delivering world famous fruit to consumers like you. As a way to give back for their efforts, we’ve made the following available to our employees:

• Health/dental insurance and 401k retirement savings programs available to employees
• Free, on-site health clinic makes health care affordable and accessible to employees
• Voluntary wellness program called “Healthy Life for You” provides group support and education for employees on a variety of health issues
• Free, on-site English classes for employees through our partnership with the Wenatchee Valley Literacy Council
• Two college scholarships through the Washington Apple Education Foundation are awarded annually to children of our employees

Community Outreach: Stemilt contributes to the local community through various sponsorships, fundraisers and by participating in civic and educational activities. Examples of our community outreach efforts include:

• Major supporter of Hospitality Heights, a charity that helps local families in need
• Stemilt’s Kestrel House fundraiser raised more than $9,300 for our local Future Farmers of America chapter. Club members built over 200 bird houses, which help fruit growers control bird populations in an effective and environmentally-friendly manner.
• Columbia Riverfront Restoration Project brought 65 Stemilt volunteers out to the shoreline near our Olds Station facility to remove noxious weeds and plant riparian species in order to help bring the site back to its natural state
• Primary sponsor of the Apple Blossom Grand Parade held each May in Wenatchee
• Support of local athletic teams and extracurricular activities

Providing Education Opportunities: Stemilt has been a long-time supporter of the Washington Apple Education Foundation, a charity established by Washington’s tree fruit industry. In addition to supporting WAEF directly, Stemilt awards three college scholarships annually, for a total of $15,000, to local students through the WAEF scholarship program.

Stemilt Fruit to Food Banks: Over the past several years, Stemilt has donated 1 million pounds of apples, pears, and other fruits to more than 370 food banks and hunger programs in Washington state in order to help families and individuals in need.