Domex Superfresh Growers

The Kershaw family, founders of Superfresh Growers, migrated to the Northwestern United States in the mid-1800s. Robert Kershaw, CEO and President of Superfresh Growers, is a fifth-generation owner. He brings to the company a great deal of knowledge and experience about growing, packing, and marketing fresh tree fruit.

Robert Kershaw, CEO and President of Superfresh Growers

Mission: “Feeding people healthy fruit is at the core of everything we do at Domex Superfresh Growers.”

They live by their slogan: “We are the Force Behind Fresh.”

Commitment to growing quality fruit

Domex Superfresh Growers is a culture of bringing their best every day. Their people, from the orchards to the loading docks, are the connected force behind innovation, flavour, and quality. They strive to deliver flavourful, high quality apples, pears, cherries and apricots to families around the world.

They do not grow GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) fruit. They create new varieties of fruit using centuries’ old methods. They simply cross-pollinate two or more different varieties of fruit trees to get the qualities they want from each “parent” tree. This process has been refined over the years, but it is essentially the same way farmers have done it for thousands of years.

Also, they are pleased to offer Superfresh Organics™ nearly year-round, which naturally fits into their orchard and growing system. In fact, they are continuously converting orchards to organic production. It takes three years of growing fruit using organically-approved practices before an orchard is certified by the government as “organic.”

Practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Conscious of environmental and food safety concerns, Domex Superfresh Growers practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a method that is designed to reduce the use of pesticides while protecting fruit. It combines different types of pest control methods – biological, cultural, chemical, and mechanical – to protect the tree and its fruit. Using IPM protocols, they ensure beneficial insects, such as honey bees, ladybugs, and spiders, have a rich environment to flourish and nurture the orchard environment, and pesticides are used as sparingly as possible. They are continually searching for natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals and implement them as quickly as they are approved.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the core of Domex Superfresh Growers, from environmental stewardship and resource management to material and warehouse management. They are stewards of the land, cultivating the orchards to be a biodiverse system that works in synchronization with nature. Superfresh Growers believes that caring for the land, air, and water in their corner of the world benefits everyone on the planet.

• 1. Good Stewards of the Soil and Environment

Resource management is key to being good stewards of the land and to ensure their legacy continues to future generations. Superfresh orchards are nurtured by the fresh mountain water of the Cascade Mountains. Using proprietary technology, they closely monitor weather, crop stage, and soil moisture using highly sensitive instruments. They apply only the amount of water needed, carefully monitoring irrigation application and ground water purity to eliminate runoff.

Healthy soil is vital to the proper nutrition and growth of their fruit. Extensive soil sampling is conducted to determine the crop nutrient needs. They precisely balance fertilizer applications with crop load and tree growth to maximize yield and reduce inputs. By using slow-release nitrogen to feed the trees as water is applied, they reduce the number of trips through the field, using less fuel and reducing the carbon foot print.

The energy used to power Superfresh Growers facilities is largely derived from wind, hydroelectric dams, and solar panels. Superfresh Growers was one of the first companies in the apple industry to install solar power on its controlled-atmosphere storage facility, and since central Washington State is so sunny, excess solar power is generated and contributed to the area’s general electricity grid.

• 2. Supply Chain and Delivery management

As an industry leader in growing and shipping fruit to all points across the globe, Superfresh Growers is actively engaged in the processes that enable free market access for fruit grown in Washington State. The policies enacted by domestic and international governing bodies affect how they do business with their partners around the world.

They remain engaged in efforts to improve the environment and the economy of the areas where they grow fruit, families, and communities.

• 3. Material management

Material management is key to Superfresh Growers sustainability. They source packaging that is compliant with the Sustainable Forest Initiative and the American Forestry and Paper Association certifications. Packaging produced in compliance with these programs is sourced responsibly with a dedicated focus on recycled materials. All corrugated boxes they use contain at least 40% recycled fibers. Their rigid plastic containers, commonly called clamshells, are made from 70% recycled plastic drink bottles. By creating strategic partnerships with vendors, they source packaging in the most efficient manner, decreasing fuel consumption.

• 4. Efficient logistics

Efficient logistics is important to sustainability. Domex Superfresh Growers proprietary logistical software, The Grid™, provides real-time truck loading information, reducing trips between warehouses, saving time and increasing fuel efficiency.

As farmers, they work hard to eliminate food waste. Every apple, pear, cherry and apricot they harvest is used, either fresh or as ingredients in every day food products.

Superfresh grow versions of many varieties of apple and pear. They also grow cherry and apricot.