Good Fruit Grower

January 2013

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Grapes Photo by melissa hansen New player enters Concord juice deal FruitSmart utilizes every ounce of fruit. by Melissa Hansen T he Concord grape juice industry, though known for up and down swings in production, is a stable one, with little change from year to year in acreage numbers or new markets. So, when a new player, even if minor, enters as a concentrate processor, it warrants attention. FruitSmart, with roots going back to 1982, is a private, locally owned business in Grandview, Washington, that���s been building a niche in the fruit byproducts world the last 30 years. First known as BRB Seeds, the company dried fruit pomace to sell as fruit fiber, along with seeds, to food manufacturers. In 2005, following mergers, facility relocations, and equipment additions, FruitSmart was renamed and ultimately settled in Grandview. In 2010, the company moved into the Safeway processing plant that had been vacant for a decade. Combining the two separate juice and fruit byproduct processing facilities under one roof brought synergy to the business, said Terry Chambers, The last berries of a Concord grape delivery make their way from the receiving station to the de-stemmer. FruitSmart president and general manager. ���We believe it���s the model of the future,��� he said, explaining that there is synergy in knowing what happens to every ounce of fruit���from peel to seed to juice���during processing. The facility was equipped in a modular fashion, allowing a set up that drives efficiency through minimal changeover time when switching fruits and products. The principal owners in the company are Jim Early and Jim Gauley. Chambers, president and general manager, was hired in 2006 to assemble a production team that collectively brings decades of fruit processing experience to the organization. Unique products FruitSmart isn���t a typical fruit juice processor. Its goal is to utilize every ounce of fruit processed to make premium fruit-based ingredients���juice concentrates, purees, fruit essences, extracts, fruit fibers, seeds, oils, and fruit seed powders. Organic products are also available. The value-added components produced from the byproducts of juice processing (extracts, fibers, seeds, etc.) are considered functional ingredients that can add texture, mouth-feel and nutrition to foods like ice cream, yogurt, and health protein bars. The company processes a variety of fruits, but the major ones are apples, cherries, grapes, cranberries, peaches, and berries. ���Our goal is to carve out a niche in producing a superpremium, finished product that carries a competitive price,��� Early said. ���We���re not trying to be ���me too��� but are plowing new ground in niche markets.��� He adds that the premium food market, like other high-end markets, has taken a hit the last few years from the down economy, making things challenging. ���We���re trying to create long-term, stable markets for all of the fruit ingredients that we produce,��� he said. ���We have to be careful not to price ourselves off the shelf, though it is sometimes necessary to raise prices when fruit costs, energy, and labor are high. It���s a careful balance between COLD AIR DRAIN�� Frost Protection COST EFFECTIVE! Most systems have a 100% payback in the first year. Minimal site prep. Fuel efficient. No maintenance contracts. POWERFUL! State-of-the-art propeller sends cold air up approximately 300 ft. VERSATILE! Size & power options available to meet your needs. Targeted protection for frost pockets, swales, slopes, valleys, etc. Use alone or with wind machines, water, or heaters. FREE COMPUTERIZED FROST ANALYSIS & PRICE QUOTE! SHuR FARMS�� Frost Protection 1890 N. 8th Street, Colton, CA 92324 877.842.9688 or 909.825.2035 info@shurfarms.com www.shurfarms.com 28 JANUARY 1, 2013 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com

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