YAKIMA, WASH. – Two top Northwest fruit companies are joining forces.

Beginning with this year’s cherry season, Sage Fruit Co. is partnering with Chelan, Wash.-based Chelan Fruit.

Chelan Fruit joins the Sage family of grower-shippers to enhance the marketing, sales and distribution of its Washington-grown tree fruit, according to the companies. Through the partnership, Sage will add significant volumes of conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries.

“We are very happy to partner with Sage Fruit and look forward to working closely with their team to deliver high-quality, great tasting fruit to customers worldwide,” said Ed Johnson, Chelan Fruit’s CEO.

Chelan Fruit joins Sage’s four additional growing and packing operations from Central Washington: Legacy Fruit, Valicoff Fruit, Olympic Fruit and Congdon Orchards. 

“We are excited by the opportunity to partner with Chelan Fruit,” said Steve Clement, Sage’s CEO. “This partnership, with such an outstanding growing and packing operation, is an important step in our overall growth strategy. It enhances our ability to supply our customers with the best tasting, highest quality tree fruit Washington State has to offer, year-round.”

Chelan Fruit is a nearly 3000-acre farming operation complete with its own packing and cold storage facilities and is one of Washington’s leading fruit producers. 

The additional acreage Chelan Fruit will be contributing spans the northern growing region of Washington state, which provides Sage Fruit with greater geographical diversification. As Chelan Fruit continues to grow, they will focus on planting further acreage of complementary products, providing a unique flavor experience and superior quality.

“We feel this is an excellent opportunity for our organization and we are thrilled to be able to supply our retail partners and food service customers with this high-quality fruit,” said Chuck Sinks, Sage’s president of sales and marketing. “This additional volume of apples, pears and cherries will allow us to offer our partners increased volumes throughout the year, and in turn, better serve their consumers.”