December
18, 2004
By Janet Cook, News staff
writer
Oregon Growers and Shippers spreads more local flavors
Looking for that last-minute gift
with a local flavor? Oregon Growers and Shippers has
just what Santa ordered.
Oregon Growers and Shippers is a
Hood River company that creates fruit spreads, chutneys
and butters made from locally grown products. The
company launched last spring with six preserves. Now
there are nine products, with more in development.
The names alone are apt make your
mouth water: Vanilla Pear Butter, Spiced Cider Spread,
Apple Fennel Chutney. For wine-lovers, there's
even Strawberry Pinot Noir Fruit Spread and Cherry
Zinfandel Fruit Spread.
"It's important to us,
and our business strategy, that we work to showcase
the best of local food and resources," said
cofounder Dave Gee. "We're trying to connect
the food source with the marketplace." Oregon Growers & Shippers uses
fruit from local growers, including Wells Orchards,
McCurdy Farms and Kinsey Orchards in Mosier.
Oregon Growers & Shippers products are sold in a variety
of stores throughout the Northwest, as well as in
the San Francisco Bay Area and on the East Coast.
For the holidays, Oregon Growers & Shippers is creating special gift boxes
of spreads, which can be purchased at Panzenella Bakery,
The Gift House, Rasmussen Farms and Rosauers. They
are also available online at www.growersandshippers.com.