Are Stemilt fruits GMO?
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The top question we get asked by consumers is whether or not Stemilt fruits are genetically modified. The answer is simple – no, they are not. In an effort to be transparent and without getting into the hotly debated topic of genetically modified or genetically engineered foods, this post will focus on why our apples, pears, cherries, and summer fruits are non-GMO, and how new varieties of fruit that Stemilt grows are developed.
A new apple tree (or other fruit tree) is not grown from a seed as you might think, but rather is grown from an existing tree, and rootstock, that a grower selects for his or her orchard site. A rootstock is the root system of the plant, which produces new growth above the ground. Today’s apples are grown primarily on small, or dwarfing, rootstocks that allow us to manage the height and width of the tree in order to bring it into production faster and make for a more manageable harvest. Growers graft the variety (which essentially is a twig with a bud in it) of fruit they want to grow (say, Honeycrisp apples) onto the rootstock, and through feeding and watering, the tree begins to grow. If all goes right, the first fruits on the tree will appear by the third leaf, or third year after the tree was planted. The tree won’t come into full production until 5-6 years following planting.
Now that you know how a fruit tree is planted in our orchards today, let’s talk about how new varieties are developed. Fruit breeding is a practice that has been in place for decades, and relies on traditional cross-pollination methods to produce a new variety with better qualities or different characteristics. Breeders first identify the traits they want in a new variety, and then find parent apple varieties with those characteristics that might give them the new cultivar they are after. Fruit trees are flowering plants and reproduce through pollination. To create a new variety, breeders harvest pollen from the flowers of the male parent and then brush the male parent pollen onto the female parent’s flowers. The pollen moves down the stigma of the flower and hopefully, fertilization occurs.
Apple breeders make thousands of crosses each year, every year. After the tree produces its first fruits (usually 3 years after planting), the apple gets reviewed for taste and other qualities, and a decision is made on whether it is kept for further testing or discarded. Believe it or not, very few new apples make it onto the next round of testing, which includes additional plantings, tests, and eventually, testing the apple in a commercial orchard environment.
Bringing a new apple variety to commercial production is a long process, so much so that the popular Honeycrisp apples was first crossed back in 1960, but wasn’t released to growers until 1991! Crossing the same two parents again and again also won’t result in the same new apple variety. Just like in humans who have two children who don’t look the same, the fertilization process when breeding apples always produces a unique result.
The traditional breeding method described above is called cross-pollinization, and is the method used for any new variety at Stemilt. It introduces a number of characteristics into the plant, including desired and undesired characteristics. Genetic engineering introduces one or a few specific, desired characteristics without introducing the unwanted characteristics.
At Stemilt, we’re constantly testing new varieties of apples, pears, and cherries. A new variety might help us extend a season, or could have attributes that make it easier to farm in our arid locale. Most importantly, we look for new varieties that will produce a better tasting piece of fruit for you to enjoy!
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12 Comments. Leave new
Your company really should put the NON-GMO icon on its packaging. That is the first thing concerned consumers look for. I did not purchase a bag of apples today because the packaging did not display the icon. I now know and will purchase your products, but how many other shoppers did the same thing?
Thanks for this feedback! All of Stemilt’s fruits are non-GMO, as are all pears and cherries in the U.S. market, and all apples except the Arctic brand, which we do not produce.
I also think it should say non gmo. Just wondering can a pear tree grow from a pear seed from one of your pears. I know other company’s alter there fruit (product as they say) so as they do not grow.
Hi Sean – it is possible, but likely won’t result in a tree that produces edible fruit. The reason being that we graft the variety of fruit we want to grow on existing rootstalk. With pears especially, it gives them a fighting chance at survival! It’s not that the seeds are altered, but the planting process has changed from planting by seed.
Thank you for having non gmo cherries! We always check before purchasing and we happy to find you don’t use gmos! It would make it easier if they were labeled non-gmo but I realize that’s an expense and a long process. We are thankful for your non-gmo cherries!
Hi Noelle – thanks for your comment. One of the reasons we aren’t labeling cherries as non-GMO is because there isn’t a cherry that is genetically modified in the marketplace today. There are rules against labeling a product as non-GMO when there isn’t a GMO offering available in that category. You can trust that our cherries, and any cherries, are non-GMO.
I see on your website that you wash your fruit in an organic soap. What are the ingredients of that soap.
Thanks!
Hi Tracy, The composition of the organic soap is citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and naturally derived plant extracts. There are no ingredients derived from soy, gluten or any other known food allergens. Hope this helps!
I recently purchased a bag of Fuji apples produced on your farm. I came home and researched only to find that the U.S. Dept. of Ag. has approved the production of GMO Fuji apples. I agree with other inquiries pertaining to labeling of GMO fruit products. Your growing environment is superior to other regions of the country. I hope your company will ster clear of these GMO varieties and the pollen from them when producing new varieties from seed.
Hi Greg! Thanks for your comments, we truly value them. We are lucky to have such a wonderful locale to grow fruits in. Although this post was written awhile ago, it remains true that none of our fruits are genetically modified.
I love, love, love Stemilt fruits!!! Sweet, beautiful in color, always satisfy my taste for something sweet and good!
Wow, Audrey, THANK YOU! This note made our day. We appreciate you supporting our farms with your purchase. Take care!