PORTLAND, Ore. – The pear industry in the Pacific Northwest has added a regulation for Anjou pears in a move to increase consumer satisfaction when they purchase pears in the early season. “The pear industry understands that flavor drives repeat purchases and consumer satisfaction. We also know that the majority of consumers want to eat pears within 1-3 days of purchase,” said Kevin Moffitt, President and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest. “This Anjou regulation is the latest step in the industry’s efforts to deliver high quality fruit that will ripen properly and in a timely manner to satisfy consumers’ desire for sweet, juicy pears. We are excited to see this quality standard implemented to improve pear eating quality.”
In a process that was started last June, the industry-led Fresh Pear Committee (FPC) voted through USDA process to lower the early-season pressure requirement for Anjou pears to help ensure that the pears receive the post-harvest cooling they need in order to ripen properly. Beginning with a 10-point justification from the FPC, the USDA thoroughly reviewed the request and, after eleven months, the new regulation will go into effect this Friday, April 23.
“Successful passage of this regulation is just one more action showing retailers and consumers that our industry is committed to bringing them the best eating quality for pears grown in the Northwest,” said Moffitt.
About Pear Bureau Northwest/USA Pears
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 87% of the US commercial fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents over 800 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
