Umlor Orchards joins Applewood Fresh Growers

(Sparta, MI – July 22, 2024) Applewood Fresh Growers BB #:348232, a leading Michigan apple shipper/grower, today announced a new partnership with Umlor Orchards, Inc. BB #:191255

As a valuable part of their Michigan network, Applewood’s partnership with Umlor increases volume and packaging capacity by 25%.

Overall, Applewood’s reach includes:
• Owner of Applewood Orchards (Deerfield, MI)
• Partner Owner of Elite Apple Co. (Sparta, MI)
• Partnerships with New Era’s American Apple (New Era, MI); Michigan Apple Packers (Sparta, MI); Umlor Orchards (Conklin, MI)

“We are thrilled to add Umlor Orchard to our Michigan Apple program next season in 2024,” said Brian Coates, VP at Applewood Fresh. “Their addition is a perfect fit with our customer growth needs as we look to increase our volume of high-quality Michigan apples and continue to support family-owned Michigan apple growers.”

Run by the Umlor family for over three generations, Umlor Orchards, Inc. is a family-owned and operated packing and growing operation located in Conklin, Michigan. The company’s roots run deep in Michigan, dating back to 1958.

“Through this collaboration with Applewood Fresh, we will enhance our packaging capabilities by continuing to utilize the latest technology in sorting and packaging equipment,” says Vince Umlor, President of Umlor Orchards. “We believe Applewood Fresh can help us grow not only in our apple community, but also in the marketplace to achieve these goals.”

This partnership includes fruit from farms in the Conklin, Hart and Shelby areas, consisting of over 350 acres of apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Red Delicious and others. In addition to the increased apple volume, Applewood will expand with additional apple packing and storage capacity, utilizing 14 controlled atmosphere rooms.

Since Applewood was acquired by FirstFruits Farms BB #:355280 in Washington State, the company is now part of a unique multi-regional apple supply system. Together, Applewood Fresh and FirstFruits Farms offer advantageous growth opportunities to their combined customer base.

About Applewood Fresh
Built on generations of experience and passion, Applewood Fresh is a leading shipper, packer, grower and marketer of Michigan’s flavorful apples. Applewood represents over 19 branded and core apple varieties spread across more than 10,000 acres of our grower partners’ land in western and southeastern Michigan. Just as the concentric rings of a tree tell the story of its existence, Applewood’s growth story is told in rings of integrity and value. From the land our family-owned orchards sit on to the fruit we deliver each season, we are committed to delivering apples with integrity. For more information about Applewood Fresh, visit www.applewoodfresh.com.

About FirstFruits Farms
FirstFruits Farms has been in operation for over 45 years and is dedicated to providing for families by growing exceptional fruit. We grow over 10 varieties of apples on 10,000 acres in Eastern Washington. We are unique because our fruit is grown, stored and packaged in the same location – a practice unprecedented in our industry that gives us greater control over the quality and safety of our products. For more information about FirstFruits Farms, visit www.FirstFruits.com.