The 2011 Washington apple season is shaping up as one of contrasts. Later harvests this year, coupled with less carry-over from 2010 and high demand, has set the stage for a gap in supplies, according to Rainier Fruit Co. Marketing Director Suzanne Wolter.

But Ms. Wolter also said that fruit quality, as seen with the cherry crop earlier in the summer, looks to be exceptional.

With Washington apple supplies from the 2010-11 crop year all but exhausted, Columbia Marketing International is ready to fill the void. Vice President of Marketing Bob Mast said that the company, based in Wenatchee, WA, is seeing good growth with its mainline offerings and increased market movement for newer apple varieties this season.

“Growing conditions have really been optimal,” he said Sept. 6. “The trees haven’t been heat stressed. Everyone’s excited about the quality this year.”

The apple season is love at first bite for Loren Queen, marketing and communications manager for Domex Superfresh Growers in Yakima, WA. “I’ve just had my first Gala of the new crop and it was terrific,” he told The Produce News Aug. 24. “We could not have had better weather for growing apples this summer. We still have not had one single day where the temperature reached 100 degrees. I believe that must be a record. This means the fruit will have terrific internals and a nice finish to the outer appearance as well.”

Apple harvesting activity has begun for Borton & Sons Inc. “We started packing Galas today, and Honeycrisp will be next along with Golden Delicious,” Director of Sales and Marketing Darrin Carpenter told The Produce News Aug. 30. The company is headquartered in Yakima, WA and is a grower-packer-shipper of quality apples.

Shipments of early Galas on Aug. 29 led the way for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers’ 2011 apple season, and Dan Wohlford, national sales representative for the Wenatchee, WA-based grower-shipper, said quality looks superior this year.

“Mother Nature really helped us out, and weather was very good for bringing sugar and sizes up,” Mr. Wohlford said Aug. 30.

“Goldens, Grannies, Jonagolds, Honeycrisps, Red Delicious and Fuji should get started in mid-September. Braeburns and Cameo will start in early October. And Pink Lady comes in late October,” he said.

Partnering with a national program to encourage healthy eating and physical exercise and playtime for youngsters, Chelan Fresh Marketing of Chelan, WA, is taking an active role in the fight against childhood obesity.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a campaign launched this year by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, with additional partnership support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.