How & Why We Farm Organic
The Stemilt Difference
Growing For Freshness & Flavor First: Organics Isn’t A Trend To Us, It’s A Lifestyle
How It Began
Over 30 years ago, Stemilt’s founder, Tom Mathison, responded to the growing distrust consumers had in knowing where their food came from by transitioning acres of apples to organic production. This laid the foundation for what is now the Artisan Organics™ program and paved the way for Stemilt to become a leader in organic fruits today.
Stemilt grows a wide variety of organic fruits year-round under the Artisan Organics™ program including most varieties of apples, pears, and cherries. With Tom’s grandsons, West and Tate Mathison, leading efforts to deliver high-flavor organics, they reflect a legacy commitment to growing organics for your lifestyle, not just as a trend.
How We Grow Our Fruit Organically
Growing Artisan Organics™ fruits follows many of the same seasonal patterns as conventional farming, but requires strict adherence to national organic standards. Organic refers to the way agriculture products (food and fiber) are grown and packed. To certify our products as organic, we maintain and replenish soil by using non-synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. We do this for three consecutive years before achieving certification. Outside the farm, organic products are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, and there are stringent rules for handling organic fruit to maintain its integrity.
How We Pack Organic Fruit
Our organic packing facilities are inspected annually to achieve an organic certificate from the USDA. We have specially marked bins to keep organic and non-organic fruit separate, and never pack them on the same line at the same time. That way, our organic fruit is packed according to standard and is put into the correct, final packaging.
The Common Questions About Organics
Is There A Wax Or Coating On Stemilt Artisan Organics™?
No. We do not apply any kind of wax or coating on our organic fruits.
How Can I Tell If A Fruit Is Indeed Organic?
Any of our organic products will be packed under our Artisan Organics™ label. Also, if the sticker on your fruit has a leading “9” before the four digits, it is organic.
How Does An Orchard Become Certified Organic?
The USDA governs the National Organic Program. Farmers must have a current organic certificate to be a producer of organic fruit. The USDA (or any-like state agency) does an annual inspection of the orchard to issue this certification. To achieve organic status, it takes three consecutive crop seasons of farming an orchard organically.
How Does Stemilt Prevent Co-Mingling Of Conventional And Organic Fruit At Its Packing Facility?
Just like the farm, organic packing facilities must also be inspected annually to achieve an organic certificate from the USDA. At Stemilt, organic bins are clearly marked at the time of receiving. We also don’t pack organic and conventional on the same line at the same time. This ensures organic fruit gets packed according to organic packing standards and is identified correctly in its final packaging.
Sustainability
Stemilt’s Artisan Organics™ fruit is grown the way nature intended, using natural farming practices that keep the soil and orchards healthy. By nurturing the land through composting, cover crops, and careful orchard care, we can ensure high-quality organic fruit that supports the earth for future generations.
Ultimate Flavor
Flavor comes first because being organic doesn’t mean compromising taste. We grow high-flavor apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, SweeTango®, and Cosmic Crisp®, and pears like Bartlett and d’Anjou to delight organic fans with unforgettable taste.
Organic Apples
About 13% of the apples Stemilt grows are organic. Washington state is the perfect home for growing organic apples. Our orchards thrive in the dry, arid climate that helps keep pests and diseases away and where water is plentiful.
Click below to see which Stemilt apples are grown organically!
Organic Pears
About 12% of our pears are grown organically and live in the Wenatchee and Entiat River Valleys in Washington state. Here, the fruit reaps the benefits of a pristine locale where flavor thrives.
Organic Cherries
Growing cherries organically can be like winning a dance-off with Mother nature, but we like a good challenge! Early-season Artisan Organics™ cherries are grown in California and central Washington, moving to Wenatchee in the later season on Stemilt Hill.
Click to see which cherry varieties we offer organically!
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