Rainier’s History with Growing Organic
Sustainability Initiatives
For Rainier Fruit, sustainability isn’t merely about checking boxes or green-colored packaging. It’s a way of life based on the forward-thinking desire to maintain the land for future generations. We know that Mother Nature employs the best farmers and we aim to create a mutually beneficial relationship with her most powerful partners: pollinators, natural decomposition, and sunshine. Our aim is to create a mutually beneficial relationship with these farmers, working together in tandem with nature.
Starts with the soil
A key component to growing fruit is taking care of the soil that the trees are planted in. A critical component of how we do this is our soil amendment program. This utilizes culled apples and clippings from the orchards to create a nutritious soil compound known as humus. This helps keep our soil strong and healthy without the addition of harsher compounds.
Pollinators are critical
Pollinators are critical to growing fruit. Without the little bugs buzzing around our trees in the springtime, we wouldn’t have any fruit to speak of. Because they are so important to growing our crops, you will find designated pollinator habitat at every one of our orchards. We even teamed up with Bee Better to certify 150 acres of pollinator habitat just to put the final seal of approval on our plantings.
We live in a desert
It’s funny to think about because when you imagine Washington, you instantly think about soggy Seattle. But over here on the East side of the Cascade Mountain range, it’s a desert, getting less than 3” of rain a year! Water is a resource that needs to be protected, so we switched to a drip irrigation system that reduces water usage by a third. The efficient system targets the tree’s root system, maximizing water usage and minimizing wasted water.
The Rainshadows of the Cascades
We love our little corner of the world. Being protected by the Cascade Mountain range creates some of the most unique microclimates on the planet. Because of this, we can fine-tune our farming practices down to a science. We utilize our desert climate up and down the central spine of the state as it stretches from the Oregon to the Canadian border. Rainier ranches dot Washington, each ranch growing a variety of apple, pear, cherry, or blueberry in their ideal climate. Varieties of apples like Envy and Pink Lady that thrive in colder climates are grown in the northern part of the state, while our blueberries and cherries and apples like Honeycrisp grow in our southern ranches. Nature provides these unique growing regions, we are simply using them in a way that works best: the way nature intended.
frequently asked questions
Should I wash my fruit before I eat it?
We recommend that you wash produce by holding it under running water for 15 seconds right before eating. Avoid using soaps and detergents as they can absorb into the porous skin and alter the taste of the fruit.
Where can I find your organic fruit?
You can find our organic fruit across many retail chains across the US and Canada. Keep in mind that cherries and blueberries are only available during the summer months when they are in season.
Does Rainier grow Genetically Modified Fruit?
No. We do not grow or sell any genetically modified fruit of any kind.