The American Northwest is a place where little farms are still carving out space among the snow-capped mountains. Pears have been grown among the rolling orchards and foggy valleys for generations, tended by the same families with the same hard work and commitment to producing the best fresh produce.

Near a little red barn nestled among the 100 acres of fruit trees in Hood River, Oregon, live Jon and Debra Laraway. Jon comes from a pear-growing family, four generations of them. He never wanted to do anything else and Debra was right there with him. “I couldn’t wait to move to Hood River and live on a farm,” says Debra. “I said to Jon, ‘sign me up!’”

Today, Debra works with the pickers, runs supplies and water, and examines fruit quality in the bins. Jon handles bookkeeping and recordkeeping, plus field work,including the occasional late-night runs to turn on the frost fans.

The region’s temperate climate of warm days and cool nights, combined with its rich, volcanic ash soil fed by mountain streams and coastal air, is a perfect recipe for the Bartlett, Green Anjou, Red Anjou and Bosc pears they feel so lucky to grow andshare with you today.

Laraways’ Favorite Snack? Dried pears, of course!

How do the Laraways enjoy their pears? They DEHYDRATE them! Dehydrated fruit is perfect for on-the-go snacking and is super simple to make, too. Click here for the recipe.

See more grower profiles!

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Slight drop in crop expected from Washington and Oregon in 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 8, 2016) – 2016 Northwest Fresh Pear Crop Estimate. Northwest pear growers are releasing fresh pear harvest projections following their annual meetings in Portland last week. Collectively, Washington’s Wenatchee and Yakima regions and Oregon’s Mid-Columbia and Medford regions estimate a fresh pear harvest of 18.7 million standard box equivalents, or 414,000 tons of fresh pears. These figures are up 2% from 2015 final harvest figures, but represent a 7% decrease from the five-year average.

Warm spring weather and good pollination led to a full bloom, with no significant weather events to hurt the fruit finish. “Growers are reporting beautiful, clean fruit that is filling out nicely in terms of fruit size,” stated Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW). Harvest is expected slightly earlier than historical average, but similar to the last two years, with Starkrimson expected in the last days of July, Bartlett in the first days of August, and Anjou, Bosc, and Comice in the last two weeks of August, across the four growing regions. Concorde, Forelle, and Seckel will be picked from late August through September.

The top three varieties produced by Northwest growers remain the same as in previous years: Green Anjou pears are anticipated to make up 50% of the total 2016 crop, and Bartlett and Bosc pears are expected to yield 23% and 17%, respectively.

Green Anjou pears are showing a projected crop decrease of 3% compared with 2015, and a 13% drop compared to the five-year average. Growers estimate that the Bartlett pear crop yield will increase by 9% compared with last season’s results, matching the five-year average.  The Bosc pear crop increase is expected to be 4% over the 2015 harvest, 3% higher than the five-year average.  The size of the Red Anjou pear crop is expected to be 3% higher than last year, but down by 3% compared to the five-year average.

Harvest of certified organic pears in the Northwest is projected to make up about 6% of the crop, with 1,103,600  standard boxes (24,279 tons) for 2016, up  14% compared with 2015. The organic Green Anjou crop is expected to be 430,000 standard boxes, while the Green Bartlett and Bosc crop sizes are estimated at 310,000 and 235,000 standard boxes respectively.

“The industry expects a crop of excellent quality fruit with ample supplies for both the domestic and export markets,” says Moffitt. “The Pear Bureau will help keep demand for pears high worldwide through marketing communications, educational and promotional programs, and consumer sampling at retail and at events, maximizing profits for growers.”

At the beginning of each season, PBNW staff provides domestic and Canadian retail buyers with customized category analysis showing their pear category performance compared to their competition. The analysis identifies opportunity gaps and the pear team suggests best practices and promotions to improve pears sales and profits for retailers.

Throughout the season the PBNW team is a resource for retailers, sharing cutting-edge consumer and trade research results and trade best practice techniques on the Trade.usapears.org website. The new trade focused site is rich with tools to support pear category sales as well as a section to train produce personnel on handling and merchandising of fresh pears.

With US and Canadian consumers, PBNW will work to increase pear consumption through a multi-year, snack-focused campaign, promoting pears as pairable, packable, and nutritious. Messaging will be delivered through consumer magazine and digital advertising, teaching people how to know when a pear is ripe and sweet. Each month, PBNW’s marketing team will target consumers at usapears.org, on social media, through digital communications and more, including creating fun new recipes and sharing information about the 10 varieties of Northwest pears. Currently entering into the fifth year of a nutrition research and communication plan, PBNW promotes the nutritional benefits of pears through educators and nutritionists, who share content with their consumer networks. The pear industry academic investment in nutrition research will continue to provide novel results to share with the media and nutritionists.

Exports remain a vital part of the success of the industry and typically account for around 40% of the total sales in a given season (including Canada), according to Global Trade Atlas. Export activities for PBNW are spread across nearly 30 countries worldwide, supporting a diverse portfolio of markets for greater grower returns. The program targets both consumers and trade with the goal to increase awareness on ripening, varieties, nutrition, and usage to build demand. Activities in top markets – including Mexico and Central America, India, Middle East and SE Asia – will include in-store sampling, Northwest pear nutrition workshops, consumer advertising, movie promotional tie-ins, social media, and event activations.  In the industry’s largest export market, Mexico, PBNW is using its retail pear category data to identify the opportunities for new varieties, size and grades of Northwest pears with major retailers.

A final initiative for the season will be an effort to PearUP! with industry partners, including commodity boards, industry experts, cross-store vendors, and food industry segments to expand the reach of Northwest pears across retail, digital communications, and events. Moffitt says, “Partnerships with wine and cheese brands and other ‘pear-able’ ingredients like packaged salads, nuts, and yogurt create buzz and excitement about Washington and Oregon pears. And teaming up with industry colleagues like The Produce Mom and Produce for Better Health expands our reach and support.”

The post 2016 NORTHWEST FRESH PEAR CROP ESTIMATE appeared first on USA Pears.

PORTLAND, Ore. (March 30, 2016) – Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to announce Morgan Cairns has joined the company as Sampling & Event Coordinator.

Cairns brings diverse experience in events, foodservice, communications, and graphic design to the Pear Bureau Northwest team. Most recently, Morgan developed and implemented innovative social media strategies for clients at Expand YOUR Brand in Portland. Previous employers include Winning Mark and BRIX Tavern.

“I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the Sampling & Event Coordinator position at Pear Bureau Northwest,” said Cairns. “I’m proud to join this creative and hard working team. Plus pears happen to be my favorite fruit.”

“Morgan’s enthusiasm, drive, and experience will be an asset to PBNW,” said Kevin Moffitt, Pear Bureau Northwest President and CEO.  “In store sampling and event sampling are essential parts of our marketing plan, encouraging consumer trial, impacting sales, and driving repeat purchases. With Morgan onboard, we can make demos more effective, increase consumer loyalty to pears, and increase pear sales. We are very pleased to have her join our team.”

Cairns earned a BA in Applied Arts & Sciences with a focus on Graphic Design from San Diego University, and completed Wings personal development seminars in Eugene, Ore. Morgan lives in Portland, Ore, and enjoys snowboarding, hiking, cooking, and travel.

About Pear Bureau Northwest

Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop.  The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution.  For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

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Portland, Ore. (January 5, 2016) Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to introduce their 3rd annual nationwide display contest open to retailers of all sizes in the U.S. and Canada beginning January 15, 2016.

The “Pear Up with USA Pears” Display Contest invites retailers to build an eye-catching display of Green Anjou, Red Anjou, and Bosc pears, while including other varieties of USA Pears is encouraged. To qualify for the contest, the display must be maintained for at least one week during the January 15 – March 31, 2016 promotion period.

“For most shoppers, pears are an impulse purchase, so good displays are a key strategy in boosting pear sales,” says Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest. “Retailers of all sizes are rewarded for their creative pear displays in category sales growth and also with over $16,000 in prizes awarded to participants and winners.”

Entrants are asked to submit an entry form and at least one photo of their display by the deadline of April 15, 2016. As recognition for participation, all eligible entrants will receive a $20 gift card. Entries will be judged on a 100 point scale for appearance, creativity and educational impact. Five bonus points will be added to entries that include a second size of pears, either in bags, totes, or bulk.

Winners will be selected from the following store categories, allowing stores of all sizes to participate and compete for top prizes:

• 1 – 5 cash registers
• 6 – 9 cash registers
• 10 or more cash registers

Thirteen winners from each of three store categories will be awarded as follows:
• 1st Place: $1,000
• 2nd Place: $750
• 3rd Place: $500
• 10 Honorable Mentions: $150 each

A “Pear Up with USA Pears POS Pack” is available to entrants for use in their displays. It includes several 7″ x 11″ point of sale cards, recipe tear-off pads, and brochures for distribution to shoppers. Retailers can simply call the Pear Bureau at 503-652-9720 or fill out an online form at trade.usapears.org/contest to request a free POS Pack. Use of some or all of the materials in the POS Pack is optional for this contest.

For complete rules, promotional flyer and entry form visit trade.usapears.org/contest.

About Pear Bureau Northwest and USA Pears
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents nearly 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org or www.trade.usapears.org.

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The post 2016 NATIONWIDE RETAIL DISPLAY CONTEST FOR USA PEARS appeared first on USA Pears.

Grant Funds Targeting National Chain Restaurants

Portland, Ore.  (December 3, 2014) – Pear Bureau Northwest was awarded $40,000 from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and $20,000 from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) through the 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant.  The grant will enable the Pear Bureau Northwest to focus on “Putting Pears on the Menu:  Increasing the use of Pears on National Chain Restaurants.”

The Pear Bureau will educate foodservice decision makers on pear varieties, seasonality, storage, and ripening with outreach activities targeting large restaurant chains. The increased demand of fresh pears in foodservice will help Northwest growers and shippers keep pace with a growing supply of high quality fruit.

Kevin Moffitt, Pear Bureau Northwest President and CEO said, “This grant will help increase pear usage and awareness among consumers throughout the US. Studies show that nearly 40% of consumers who try a food in a restaurant will look to make it at home*, so expanding restaurant use of pears will expand retail purchases and home use as well.“

Under the 2014 Farm Bill, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA ) and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) receive annual funding from USDA to award grants for projects that enhance the competitiveness of states’ specialty crops.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. Eligible plants must be intensively cultivated and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops.

*Foodservice and Influencers, national telephone survey of 1000 primary shoppers conducted by Produce Marketing Association, May 2006.

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Pear Bureau Northwest

Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop.  The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution.  For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

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Media Contact
Kathy Stephenson
Marketing Communications Director
(503) 652-9720
kstephenson@usapears.com

Pear Bureau Northwest prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Pear Bureau at (503) 652-9720.

The post Pear Bureau Northwest Awarded 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant appeared first on USA Pears.

NORTHWEST PEAR INDUSTRY RELEASES REVISED CROP ESTIMATE

Northwest pear growers forecast a larger size crop from Washington and Oregon than originally estimated

Note: Photography to accompany this story can be accessed here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1xtkvmvoop5yo2p/AADOs7WXI0DL_VOSYTDdOwvba

PORTLAND, Ore. (August 21, 2014) – With harvest currently underway, representatives of the Northwest pear industry have officially updated their initial projections for the 2014 fresh pear crop yield.  Reports of a crop of excellent quality have been confirmed from all corners of the pear growing regions in Washington and Oregon, and the updated projection is showing a crop larger than previously forecast in the spring.  The revised estimate points to more than 20.2 million standard 44-lb box equivalents (or 445,144 tons) of pears for the fresh market.  This estimate is 2% larger than the five-year average, and 6% smaller than last year’s record crop.  The Northwest pear industry’s initial spring projection showed a crop of 18.7 million boxes.

Harvest began in late July with the Starkrimson and Bartlett pear varieties.  Anjou, Red Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Concorde, Forelle, and Seckel will be picked from late August through mid-October.  No significant weather issues have affected the crop to date.  The top three varieties in terms of production remain the same as in previous years; Green Anjou pears are anticipated to make up 53% of the total 2014 crop, and Bartlett and Bosc pears are expected to yield 22% and 15% respectively.

The updated estimates for the organic portion of the Northwest pear crop have increased proportionally, showing a total of 976,780 standard 44-lb box equivalents (21,489 tons) of organic pears in the 2014 harvest.  This is an increase of about 3% when compared to the 2013 record organic crop, and a 16.6% increase over the five-year average.

“Compared to last year’s record crop, this crop is more consistent with the five-year average,” said Pear Bureau Northwest’s president and CEO, Kevin Moffitt.  “We’re looking forward to another crop of excellent quality and fruit size to meet the demands of the domestic and export markets. Our representatives across North America and around the world have a full season of promotions in place to help boost sales, and we’re looking forward to working with our retail partners in another successful pear season.”

About Pear Bureau Northwest

Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

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Contact:

Cristie Mather, Director of Communications, Pear Bureau Northwest

cmather@usapears.com

(503) 651-9720

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PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST ANNOUNCES NEW NATIONWIDE DISPLAY CONTEST FOR USA PEARS

“Pear Up with USA Pears” Display Contest offers Retailers of all Sizes a Total of $11,250 in Cash Prizes

NOTE: “Pear Up with USA Pears Display Contest” graphic available: 

Portland, Ore. (January 14, 2014) Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to introduce a new display contest that is open to retailers of all sizes in the U.S. and Canada in February and March.

The “Pear Up with USA Pears” Display Contest invites retailers to build an eye-catching display that features Green Anjou, Red Anjou, and Bosc pears at minimum, and inclusion of other varieties of USA Pears is encouraged. To qualify for the contest, the display should be maintained for at least one week during the February – March timeframe.

To take advantage of the bounty of extra large size USA Pears that are available this season, this contest offers bonus points for retailers whose display includes jumbo pears size 70 and larger.

“With pears having a high rate of impulse purchase, good displays are key to the success of the pear category for retailers,” said Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest. “This contest is designed to reward and recognize retailers of all sizes for their creative pear displays that are so effective in boosting pear sales.”

Entrants are asked to submit an entry form with at least one photo of their display by the deadline of April 15, 2014.  Entries will be judged on a 100 point scale for appearance, creativity, and educational impact. Ten bonus points will be added to entries that include any jumbo size pears.

As recognition for their participation, all who enter a complete and eligible entry will receive a gift card for Amazon.com valued at $20.

Thirteen winners in each of the following three store categories will be selected, for a total of 39 winners:

• 1 – 5 cash registers
• 6 – 9 cash registers
• 10 or more cash registers

This categorization allows stores of all sizes to participate and compete for top prizes, with a total prize value of $11,250.

Winners in each store category will receive:

• 1st Place: $1,000
• 2nd Place: $750
• 3rd Place: $500
• 10 Honorable Mentions: $150 each

A “Pear Up with USA Pears POS Pack” is available to retailers for use in their displays. It includes several 7″ x 11″ point of sale cards, recipe tear-off pads, and brochures for distribution to shoppers. Retailers can simply call the Pear Bureau at 503-652-9720 or fill out an online form at www.usapears.org/displaycontest.aspx to request a free POS Pack. Use of some or all of the materials in the POS Pack is optional for participating in this contest.

For complete rules, promotional flyers, and entry form, visit www.usapears.org/displaycontest.aspx.

About Pear Bureau Northwest and USA Pears

Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop.  The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution.  For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

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The post Introducing the Pear Up with USA Pears Display Contest appeared first on USA Pears.

PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST NAMES REGIONAL FINALISTS IN CANADIAN CULINARY STUDENT RECIPE COMPETITION

Five students to compete for the national grand prize of $2,500 in Toronto on April 16

Portland, Ore.– March 28, 2013 – Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to announce the regional finalists of the 2013 USA Pears “Pear Excellence” Canadian Culinary Student Recipe Competition. The sixth annual competition will take place on April 16 in Toronto, where these five bright Canadian culinary students will demonstrate their flair with the pear, facing off before a panel of esteemed judges for the National Grand Prize title. The 2013 regional winners are:

• Maritimes: Aaron Lackie, “Pear Cake Delight,” New Brunswick Community College – St. Andrews
• Quebec: Diego Beltran, “Trout Ceviche with Pear Blinis,” Trade School of Catering and Tourism in Montreal
• Ontario: Connie McKibbon, “Pear & Black Thai Rice Cakes with Pear Sage Pesto,” Liaison College Durham
• Prairies: Rebekah Roberts, “Pear and Bison Grilled Flatbread,” Assiniboine Community College – North Hill Campus
• British Columbia: Allegra Jimenez, “The Pearfect Pearing: Savory Cheesecake with Poached Bosc Pears, Pear Chips, and Candied Beet Salad,” Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island

The student competitors win an all-expenses-paid trip to Toronto to compete in the national competition, which will take place at The Chef’s House restaurant at George Brown College at 12 p.m. on April 16. Each student will present their winning recipe to a panel of prestigious judges who will taste each dish and provide contestants with their comments before selecting the grand prize winner. Culinary students at George Brown College will also re-create the winning dishes for the audience and attending media to taste and place their votes for the People’s Choice award. The National Grand Prize winner receives $2,500, and the winner’s culinary school will receive a $500 award for supplies or its general scholarship fund. The four finalists not selected as Grand Prize Winner will each receive $1,000 and their schools will each receive $300.

Now in its sixth year of engaging Canadian culinary students nationwide with this annual pear recipe contest, Pear Bureau Northwest recognizes the country’s most talented students for their culinary creativity. Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest said, “Canada is one of the top export markets for USA Pears, and it is important that we increase awareness and knowledge of fresh pears among culinary students. Through this, we are able to help increase pear consumption at the foodservice level as these talented individuals use fresh pears in dishes throughout their careers.” Moffitt also noted that, “we know that when restaurant-goers like a pear dish that they’re served, they’re likely to re-create that dish at home, so the pear inspiration doesn’t just stop at the restaurant.”

Qualifying recipes must include prominent use of Green Anjou, Red Anjou, and/or Bosc varieties of USA Pears as well as at least one Canada-produced ingredient. Judges will also be evaluating finalists’ recipes based on their creativity, recipe mechanics, appearance, and whether the recipe has the potential to inspire others to cook with pears in their own kitchens.

About Pear Bureau Northwest

The Pear Bureau Northwest is a nonprofit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon. The Bureau represents more than 1,600 growers who grow 84 percent of the nation’s fresh pear crop, and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. Canada is one of the largest export markets for USA Pears, second only to Mexico. For more information, visit www.usapears.org, www.facebook.com/USApears, and follow @USApears on Twitter.

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Media Contact:
Cristie Mather, Director of Communications, cmather@usapears.com
Pear Bureau Northwest
(503) 652-9720

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USA Pears Gain Access to China

Formerly closed to USA Pears, China is expected to emerge as a top market for Northwest pear industry

Portland, Ore. – January 28, 2013 – For the first time in history, US-grown pears have officially gained access to the Chinese market.

Kevin D. Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest remarked on the pear industry’s effort involved to open the Chinese market to USA Pears. “We have been working on this for twenty years and the official request from our government happened in 1994,” he said. “During that time, the Pear Bureau and the Northwest pear industry have worked diligently with our partners at the Northwest Horticultural Council and USDA APHIS to bring this to fruition. We are appreciative of all involved for their dedication in gaining access for US-grown pears to China, which has the potential to become an important export market for our industry.”

Moffitt continued, “Based on our exports to Hong Kong and Taiwan and the overall market size of China, it could easily rank among the top five export markets for USA Pears within the next two or three seasons.”

Pear Bureau Northwest is at the ready with a strong promotional strategy in place to take immediate advantage of the market opening.

To raise awareness of the policy change that allows access of USA Pears into the Chinese market, the Pear Bureau will immediately engage and educate Chinese importers and retailers about the market access, the current pear crop outlook, and the varieties grown in Washington and Oregon. Targeting importers and retailers who have handled imports of Washington apples and California table grapes, the Pear Bureau will introduce promotional plans for the remainder of the season, and will distribute a framed “God of Fortune” poster as a gift from the USA Pear industry to serve as a reminder of the profit opportunities for USA Pears in China. The “God of Fortune” is a traditional symbol of Chinese New Year, which arrives on February 10, 2013.

Promotional programs will include in-store promotions with key retailers in the major east coast cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Louis Ng and Associates, the Pear Bureau’s marketing representatives for the region, will conduct training seminars with participating retailers to educate them on how to properly handle and display USA Pears in order to maximize sales and profits. An importer incentive program may also be initiated if time and budget allow. The Pear Bureau anticipated access to the Chinese market during this season, and allocated a percentage of its annual budget to take advantage of the opportunity.

Jeff Correa, director of international marketing at Pear Bureau Northwest, noted that a significant amount of Northwest pears could be exported to China in Q1 of 2013. “We could expect to ship pears to China into April, which would be similar to our exports to Taiwan and Hong Kong. That would give us two-and-a-half months of shipments into China.” Correa estimates that 25,000 – 40,000 standard 44-lb boxes of pears could be shipped to China in that time period. And, with red being an auspicious color in Chinese culture, Correa projects that China would most likely become the top export market for red pear varieties, such as Starkrimson and Red Anjou.

About Pear Bureau Northwest

Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

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Contacts:
Kevin D. Moffitt, President & CEO, kmoffitt@usapears.com
Cristie Mather, Director of Communications, cmather@usapears.com
Pear Bureau Northwest
(503) 652-9720

The post USA Pears Gain Access to China appeared first on USA Pears.

PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST AWARDED 2012 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT
Washington State Department of Agriculture Approved $75,000 Grant Project

PORTLAND, Ore. (October 18, 2012) – Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to announce that the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has awarded the organization $75,000 in specialty crop grant funding to promote USA Pears in conjunction with the children’s entertainment brand, LazyTown. The project will be tailored to retail partners and schools with live events and co-branded materials.

The grant award will enable Pear Bureau Northwest to engage in an exciting promotion with LazyTown, which motivates children to make healthy lifestyle choices, such as keeping active and eating fruits and vegetables to gain energy. The Pear Bureau has developed custom point of sale materials, including floor signs, channel cards with tear-off recipe pads, and life-size standees for retail promotions. The partnership will come to life with appearances by LazyTown’s main character, Sportacus, at select schools and retailers that excel in promoting pears.

Kevin Moffitt, Pear Bureau Northwest President and CEO said, “We are pleased to receive grant funding for this exciting partnership. This award will help raise the awareness of pears and increase pear sales by generating excitement with children and their parents as we bring the established popularity of LazyTown to life with schools and our retail partners.”

LazyTown, the award-winning television show that motivates kids to make healthier lifestyle choices, is the premier global children’s entertainment brand dedicated to promoting health and well-being. In the U.S., the LazyTown television series airs twice a day on Sprout, a 24-hour preschool television network reaching 55 million homes, as well as in a Saturday morning programming block on NBC that reaches more than 100 million homes, and it airs on Telemundo in Spanish nationwide. Pear Bureau Northwest has completed successful grant projects in partnership with LazyTown in Mexico and Colombia where retail sales of USA Pears increased by 44% during the promotion period.

WSDA received grant funding of $3.3 million from the United States Department of Agriculture this year for projects that support the state’s fruit, vegetable, and horticulture growers. The 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant will fund 25 projects managed by the department and other Washington organizations to benefit the third largest specialty crop industry in the nation.

About Pear Bureau Northwest
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

About LazyTown
LazyTown is an aspirational children’s entertainment brand dedicated to motivating children to make healthier lifestyle choices. The positive role models of LazyTown lead by example in a fun, non-preachy way to empower and inspire young children. Created and starring Icelander Magnus Scheving, the program has been seen by more than 500 million children and aired in over 170 countries throughout the world. The national television platform airs every day on Sprout TV in the United States and airs every weekend on both NBC Kids and Telemundo (in Spanish). LazyTown is currently collaborating with various government agencies and non-profit organizations worldwide on developing far-reaching and impactful health initiatives such as Change4Life, American Heart Association, Let’s Move, Produce For Kids and Mediterranean Diet. For a preview of LazyTown watch the Move The World trailer at https://vimeo.com/39680615

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Media Contact
Cristie Mather, Director of Communications
(503) 652-9720
cmather@usapears.com

Pear Bureau Northwest prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Pear Bureau at (503) 652-9720.

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