With sales and marketing of its stone fruit again handled in-house, E.W. Brandt & Sons Inc. in Wapato, WA, is looking at later but busy seasons for its cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, prunes, pluots, Donut peaches and nectarines.

Sales Manager Joe Brandt said in late May that cherries will start June 18 this year and run through late July. The first loads will go out a week to 10 days later than in years past, he said.

Keith Horder, director of business development for L&M Cos. in Union Gap, WA, said that the company will market a highly promotable stone fruit crop this season.

And the number one consideration during production is ensuring that the fruit meets the high flavor profile consumers have come to expect from Washington product.

“The Northwest prides itself on having flavorful fruit,” he told The Produce News May 24.

CENTER, CO — As the 2010-11 shipping season winds down, Cañon Potato Co., here, is looking ahead to the new season and a focus on private labels.

According to Cañon President David Tonso, the company is “continuing to develop our own ‘Rocky Mountain’ label, and we’re packing select private labels for customers as well.”

Mr. Tonso said that “Rocky Mountain” will represent Cañon and that the shed will discontinue shipping under lesser-used labels.

Mountain Valley Logistics has provided its customers with full-service logistics for the past 17 years. Despite a troublesome economy and escalating fuel prices, Transportation Manager Kurt Holland said, “We’re busy.”

COMMERCE CITY, CO — Ringer & Son brokerage, a longtime fruit and vegetable operation in the metropolitan Denver and Rocky Mountain region, has added organic Vidalia onions to its product lineup this season.

“We just ordered our first-ever load of organic Vidalias for Door to Door Organics, a home-delivery service in this area,” Ringer & Son President Joshua Johnson said in mid-May.

Mr. Johnson said that the Vidalias are part of the company’s onion program that also includes storage onions which are currently being shipped out of Washington and Texas.

MONTE VISTA, CO — With the 2010 San Luis Valley potato crop in its last few months of shipments, the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee is making plans for the 2011 season with marketing, research and educational programs.

CPAC Executive Director Jim Ehrlich said in mid-May that some shippers in the San Luis Valley are trying to stretch storage volume into July but that demand on an already short crop was increased due to Wisconsin also having short supplies.