(Yakima, WA) Grant J. Hunt Company of Oakland, CA announced Eric Patrick as their Marketing Director. Patrick will operate out of the Grant J. Hunt Company’s Yakima division, adding to their Grant J. Hunt division in The Dalles, OR.
Patrick was most recently the Director of Marketing at Domex, Inc. and prior to that position was the Domestic Promotion Director for the Washington State Fruit Commission/Northwest Cherry Growers.
“We continue to increase the value-added services we provide to our customers and shipper base,” states President, Grant M. Hunt, “In today’s rapidly changing business world it is more important than ever that we not only have great product, we need to have merchandising and marketing plans to help drive this product to the consumer. Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge in cherries and other fruits which we feel will really benefit our customers and growers.”
Patrick’s initial focus will be on the 2006 cherry season. The Grant J. Hunt Company cherry program has Orchard View Farms as the cornerstone of its success. Orchard View Farms is a 4th generation family based in The Dalles, OR. The overall cherry program will consist of more than 900,000 boxes of dark sweet and Rainier cherries with the growing area ranging from The Dalles/Hood River and as far north as Chelan, WA. Grant J. Hunt will have Northwest Cherries available from early June until mid/late August, approximately 10-12 weeks of fresh cherries. Spring Creek Orchards, Hood River, OR and Blue Mountain Growers in Milton-Freewater, OR round out the cherry program. Grant J. Hunt extensively utilizes Orchard View Farm’s patented modified atmosphere system, View Fresh, to help maintain fresh, firm and delicious cherries to create a great eating experience throughout the season.
Grant J. Hunt Company is a 5th generation produce company founded in Oakland nearly a century ago. They offer year round programs for vegetables and fruit both domestically and internationally.