Sage Fruit Introduces Sustainable Packaging for Cherry Season

Sage Fruit Company, based in Yakima, WA, recently launched a new, earth-friendly pouch bag designed to be a more sustainable packaging option for its customers.

During the 2021 cherry season, all Sage Fruit bulk organic Dark Sweet cherries will be packed in the company's new Bio-Able Solutions bag.

“With increased concerns over single-use plastic as well as heightened consumer awareness of the availability of more sustainable options, Sage Fruit is actively seeking alternative solutions to traditional packaging,” said Kaci Komstadius, social media and special projects coordinator for Sage Fruit. “It’s important to be good stewards of the earth. Unfortunately, traditional plastics do not rapidly degrade in our natural setting, and if they are not properly recycled, they build up in landfills, pollute the environment, and disrupt our ecosystems.” 

Kaci Komstadius, Social Media and Special Projects Coordinator, Sage Fruit

The company’s Bio-Able Solutions bag directly addresses plastic and food packaging sustainability. Enabled with bio-assimilation technology, the new bags are 100-percent recyclable and uniquely formulated to fully degrade in both marine and terrestrial environments, leaving behind zero microplastic waste.

“With increased concerns over single-use plastic as well as heightened consumer awareness of the availability of more sustainable options, Sage Fruit is actively seeking alternative solutions to traditional packaging.” - Kaci Komstadius

The packaging is ASTM D5526 certified, ASTM D6954 Tier 1 certified, and FDA approved.

Sage Fruit is also in the process of evaluating several new packaging options for its other organic products as the company looks to grow the category.

Sage Fruit organic cherry bag

“At Sage Fruit, we are constantly evaluating the latest technology and innovation,” Komstadius said. “For example, we have partnered with Apeel Sciences on our organic apples. In doing this, our organic apples are treated with Apeel, a plant-based solution, to help reduce moisture loss on the retail shelf and provide consumers with a better, crisper, and flavorful eating experience. We are treating numerous mainstream organic apple varieties including Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady.”

The origins of the company date back to 1999 when several Yakima-based grower-packer-shippers decided to form a single sales and marketing desk that would allow them to provide consistent year-round supplies of Washington tree fruit to customers. 

“At Sage Fruit, we are constantly evaluating the latest technology and innovation.” – Kaci Komstadius

Today, Sage Fruit provides fruit to retailers nationwide as well as to Asia, Europe, South America, Mexico, and Canada. 

“We are proud to bring some of the world’s healthiest foods from one of the world’s most fertile growing regions to families worldwide,” Komstadius said. “We work hard on the farm, in the packing facilities, and in sales in order to deliver an exceptional eating experience.”

As the demand for organic fresh produce has grown, Sage Fruit has made investments to expand its overall organic program.

“Not only are we planting new acreage of organic orchards, but we are actively transitioning our conventional orchards to meet demand,” Komstadius said.  

While the Northwest cherry crop is roughly 2.5 to 3 percent organic, the company believes it will continue to grow in the upcoming years, and Sage Fruit will be ready for the increased demand.

“We’re seeing an increase in demand for organic cherries now, even though it has not been nearly as strong as other commodities such as apples or pears in the past,” Komstadius said. “Organic cherries are much more labor intensive to grow, which results in higher retail pricing. The higher pricing isn’t as attractive to the end consumer. But, as they continue to be more ‘health conscious,’ consumers are more likely to consider purchasing organic cherries.”

“Not only are we planting new acreage of organic orchards, but we are actively transitioning our conventional orchards to meet demand.” - Kaci Komstadius

Still, she noted, Sage Fruit is really beginning to see the organic cherry category take off in certain markets.

“Our strategy for 2021 is very simple: we want to provide the best-quality, great-tasting products and world-class customer service to the best retailers, foodservice operators, and wholesalers across the country,” Komstadius said. “We at Sage Fruit are always looking to grow, but it has to be with the right opportunities. We do not want to grow just for the sake of growth. It has to be the right fruit with the right quality and mix of varieties before we would consider bringing on more orchards.”

“Our strategy for 2021 is very simple: we want to provide the best-quality, great-tasting products and world-class customer service to the best retailers, food service operators and wholesalers across the country.” - Kaci Komstadius

This year, Jeff Baldwin, a 25-year veteran of the tree fruit industry, has joined Sage Fruit as its new sales manager as John Onstad will be retiring at the end of the year after 22 years on the job.