Bridges Produce celebrates two partners’ 50th anniversaries

Bridges Produce BB #:168499 prides itself on representing small to mid-sized farms with most of our grower partners having one thing in common, they were founded as and remain family farms, many multigenerational family farms. 

Behind our most well-known labels, Rico Farms, Aztlan, Columbia Gorge Organic, Natures Pride, as well as our own Bridges label are not large corporations but family farms.

These are farms where the Bridges team are not just experts on the product and agricultural land but have deep personal relationships with founders, children and often grandchildren who make the business what it is.

While relationships are what Bridges Produce was built upon, we are reminded of its significance as two long term partners, Cal-Ore Produce BB #:115894, a partnership of potato growers in Northern California and Columbia Gorge Organic BB #:314606 a fruit tree grower from Hood River, OR, celebrate 50 years in business.

Cal-Ore Produce in Tulelake, California grows and packs potatoes into the Natures Pride label and are preparing to enter their 50^th year in business. Cal-Ore Produce is made up of four different family farms, some of which date back to the1920’s and span four generations.  

“I think it is amazing to be a part of family farms because these farms care so much about the products that they grow, the land that they grow on, and the care about the people that work for them.” – Ryan Finney Cal-Ore General Manager.

When Ryan says it’s about the people, he truly means it, “Our average full-time employee has been working at Cal-Ore Produce for 24 years.  To me, that says we are doing something right for our employees and these people really do become part of our families.”

Not only is Cal-Ore focused on their people, they continue to push to be leaders in agricultural technology.

“We still have the heart and desires of family farms and businesses but also have the capacity and technology to feed many people on a very large scale,” says Finney.  “We have taken the stance that if we are not moving forward with technological advancement, we are falling behind so we are not afraid to invest in things that will make us better. This has led us to actively look for the best new technology, exploring solar options and embracing AI for grading and sorting our products.  Finding ways to be more efficient with what we have is key for a long, sustainable future.”

“While we are proud to be hitting our 50th anniversary I feel very strongly that we are also only just getting started.  We have so much room to get better in the next 50 years and I couldn’t be more excited to see where the future takes us!” Finney says.

Also Celebrating 50 years is Columbia Gorge Organic a third-generation family farm who grows apples, pears, Asian pears, and stone fruit in the Hood River Valley.

In 1975, Cheryl and Ron Stewart packed up their three young boys and left San Jose in a motorhome, chasing a longtime dream: grow high quality fruit and do right by the land. By 1989, with Cheryl’s background in nutrition and their sons’ growing interest in sustainability, the family made the shift to organic farming. Cheryl still runs Columbia Gorge Organic alongside her two of her sons and grandson Payton.  

Ben Johnson, Bridges President first met Ron Stewart in 1992 at the Natures Hillsdale store as Ben unloaded the Columbia Gorge delivery truck. When Ben founded Bridges Produce in 2002 they were one of Bridges first grower partners.

“A lot has changed since 1975 but a lot of things are the same too. One thing that has not changed is the Stewart Family’s commitment to growing great fruit and being great stewards of the land. Five decades of dedication shows through in every box that rolls off their packing line,” – Ben Johson Bridges President.

A conversation about Bridges multigenerational family farm partners would not be complete without talking about our Mexican growers the Tapia Family who own Rico Farms and the Floriza family who pack into the Aztlan label. Francisco Tapia, Sr. started farming in Hermosillo, Mexico 40 years ago, and after studying as an engineer his son Francisco Tapia Junior joined the family business. Under Francisco Jr.’s leadership they converted to organic, expanded their farm operations to two locations, built their own bio-factory, prioritized worker welfare and so much more.  

Floriza en Los Parajes was established in 2002, but the Floriza family has been farming since the 1940s. Current leadership is the 3^rd generation of farmers, and they use their generations of experience, patience, diligence, and creative thinking to yield beautiful and bountiful organic crops.

To learn more about Bridges dedication to family farms or our Partner brands please reach out to info@bridgesproduce.com www.bridgesproduce.com

Contact

Bridges Produce, Inc.

Sydney Fairchild – Marketing & Compliance Manager

sydney@bridgesproduce.com

503-235-7333