Okanagan Specialty Fruits announced the completion of their cutting-edge controlled atmosphere (CA) facility at their Moses Lake Campus
SUMMERLAND – Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) has completed construction of their Controlled Atmosphere (CA) facility at their Moses Lake, Washington campus.
The 107,000 Moses Lake facility is already operational, and the new CA facility, adjacent to the campus, is 35 minutes from OSF’s orchards, which minimizes transportation costs and emissions and allows just-in-time production to ensure product freshness for customers.
“The CA facility utilizes advanced refrigeration and controlled atmosphere technology to create an optimal environment for apple storage,” explains OSF Facility Operations Manager Ray Moody. “This technology helps maintain the freshness, flavor, texture, and nutritional value of Arctic apples, extending their shelf life and ensuring the unparalleled quality our apples are known for.”
The facility is exclusively dedicated to storing the Arctic apples that OSF has developed and grows, and is a key component of the company’s vertically integrated business model. As the 2024 fall harvest approaches, the facility is fully equipped and prepared to handle Arctic Goldens, Arctic Grannys, and Arctic Fujis.
“Our CA facility marks our continued commitment to deliver the highest quality sliced apples to our customers,” explains OSF President Don Westcott. “With construction now complete, we are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for our products as our orchard production continues to increase yearly.”
OSF is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, growing, processing, and marketing of novel tree fruit varieties developed through bioengineering. Based in Summerland, OSF was founded in 1996 and acquired by an affiliate of Third Security, LLC in 2019.
OSF’s flagship product is its Arctic apple varieties, which provide a sustainable solution to less food waste, and their operations include 1,250 acres in Washington State.
Their newest venture is Endless Orchard Hard-Pressed Cider.
Business Examiner Staff