Okanagan Specialty Fruits Unveils Advanced Apple Storage Facility at Moses Lake

Okanagan Specialty Fruits opens a new 107,000 sq. ft. facility at Moses Lake to optimize Arctic apple storage, enhancing freshness, flavor, and sustainability.

FRESH PRODUCE

Kazi A Motaleb

8/30/20241 min read

A banner of Okanagan Specialty Fruits
A banner of Okanagan Specialty Fruits

Chelan, WA, August 29, 2024 — Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF), the innovative company behind Arctic® apple varieties, has successfully completed the construction of a 107,000-square-foot controlled atmosphere (CA) facility at its Moses Lake campus. The new facility is designed to extend the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of Arctic apples, utilizing advanced refrigeration and atmosphere control technology to optimize storage conditions.

Located just 35 minutes from OSF's orchards and adjacent to their processing plant, the facility minimizes transportation costs and emissions, ensuring that Arctic apples are processed and delivered at peak freshness. This strategic placement supports the company's commitment to quality and efficiency, enabling just-in-time production and reducing the environmental impact of their operations.

"Our new CA facility is a testament to our dedication to providing the highest quality products to our customers," said Don Westcott, President of OSF. "As our orchard production increases year after year, this facility will play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for our Arctic apples."

The facility is exclusively dedicated to storing Arctic apple varieties, including Arctic Goldens, Arctic Grannys, and Arctic Fujis. As the 2024 fall harvest approaches, OSF is fully prepared to handle the demands of the season, ensuring that their apples reach consumers with unmatched precision and care.

This facility marks another milestone in OSF's vertically integrated business model, reinforcing their position as a leader in the specialty fruit industry. The completion of this facility not only enhances their operational capabilities but also reaffirms their commitment to innovation and sustainability in fruit production and processing.