Pear Bureau Northwest Announces New Director of Nutrition Affairs & Communications
August 6, 2025 | 3 min to read
USA Pears has appointed Barbara Ruhs, MS, RDN, as director of nutrition affairs and communications. A recognized nutrition communications consultant, she emphasizes the health benefits of U.S.-grown pears, noting their excellent fiber content. CarrieAnn Arias, president of Pear Bureau Northwest, expressed enthusiasm for Ruhs’ expertise in promoting nutrition. With a focus on blending science and storytelling, Ruhs aims to enhance the perception of pears as vital to everyday wellness, highlighting their versatility for consumers.
MILWAUKIE – USA Pears has named Barbara Ruhs, MS, RDN, as director of nutrition affairs and communications, effective immediately.
Barbara Ruhs, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and leader in retail health promotion who brings ‘wellness to the shelf.’ As a successful nutrition communications consultant, she is the former nutrition marketing dietitian for Avocados From Mexico and launched a conference for retail dietitians. A trusted nutrition expert, she knows how to blend science and storytelling to build influence with dietitians, media, and consumers.
“We’re excited to welcome Barbara as we lean into the nutritional benefits of fresh U.S.-grown pears,” said CarrieAnn Arias, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest. “Barbara is a nationally recognized dietitian and wellness strategist with a strong track record of helping brands bring nutrition to the shelf. Her insights will help USA Pears speak clearly and credibly about the important role pears can play in everyday wellness.”
“As a dietitian, I believe working in the food industry is a critical piece to helping Americans eat healthier,” said Ruhs. “Now, more than ever, shoppers are hungry for foods that deliver health benefits, and pears are well-positioned for nutrition stardom. As an excellent source of fiber, just one medium pear provides 6 grams of fiber, which is more than 20% of the daily goal. They pair perfectly with protein, and with more than 10 varieties to choose from, there’s a pear for everyone.”
ABOUT FRESH PEAR COMMITTEE OF FEDERAL MARKETING ORDER 927
Established in 1939, the marketing order provides the authority to set regulations and provides the authority to set and collect promotion and research assessments. Crop reports and size and grade reports are also compiled and distributed through the authority of the marketing order. All growers of commercially grown pears in the US sates of Oregon and Washington are part of Oregon the marketing order. USDA requires the Marketing Order to hold a referendum every six years, giving the growers a chance to vote to continue the order or not. The last referendum, held in 2023, resulted in overwhelming approval with 99% of the votes being cast in favor of continuation.
ABOUT PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US commercial fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents over 700 grower families and partners with outlets throughout the world in an effort to increase overall success with the pear category. The organization provides marketing and merchandising expertise that is customized specifically for each retail organization, using its pear consumer research findings as well as individual store analysis using an in-house data system that measures pear category performance nationwide and third-party research to show retailers how they perform versus their competition. Retailers who are interested in partnering with Pear Bureau Northwest should contact them at info@usapears.com or 1 (800) 547-4610, as well as visit the retail trade site, Trade.USAPears.org, or consumer site, USAPears.org.