Current Happenings
Raspberry Industry Loses One of its Pioneers
Anyone connected to the berry industry in northwest WA and British Columbia knows Darryl Ehlers. Memories of his big heart and unique brain cast a large shadow over us when we heard of his death on Monday, June 21st.
WRRC awarded Darryl its Industry Service Award in 2019. The video tribute to Darryl captures his “philosophy of life”, his abundant energy, and passion for farming.
He was a true character, friend, and berry pioneer. He is missed already!
Virtual Washington Red Raspberry
Harvesting and Processing Tour
The WRRC continues to support the US Trade Representative’s Investigation No. 332–577, Raspberries for Processing: Conditions of Competition between U.S. and Foreign Suppliers, with a Focus on Washington State, for the purpose of providing a report that provides an overview of the U.S. raspberry industry in Washington state and assesses the conditions of competition between U.S. and foreign suppliers of raspberries meant for processing. As part of the International Trade Commission’s 14-month study, their staff planned to participate in an in-person tour of our harvesting and processing practices this summer. However, due to the pandemic restricting travel, the WRRC created this comprehensive virtual harvesting and processing tour that is now accessible to the ITC, as well as the general public.
School Foodservice Update
As part of our ongoing efforts to engage school foodservice, we have just launched a new toolkit and supporting webpages that provide this important audience with resources just for them. The site showcases top school chefs and culinary professionals and includes recipes formatted and designed specifically for schools. In addition to the resources, we have partnered with Healthy School Recipes, and they hosted a webinar on September 17 to walk K-12 operators through the new resources and give them practical tips and tricks to incorporating frozen raspberries in a variety of formats into their school menus. Attached is a press release about the new site and resources, as well as the webinar, that we are using to promote the new offerings to school foodservice-focused publications across the country. We are thrilled to bring these new resources to support the industry’s efforts to increase demand within the school foodservice market.
Upcoming Meetings
Oct 26 - WRRC Board Meeting
204 Hawley Street, Lynden & via Zoom
Nov 14 - 16 - NCSFR Conference
Red Lion Columbia Center, Kennewick, WA
Nov 29 & 30 - WA Small Fruit Conference & Lynden Ag Show
NW Washington Fairgounds, Lynden
Jan 31 - Feb 2 - Berry Health Benefits Symposium
Tampa Bay, FL
Anyone interested in attending the Zoom links to WRRC events should contact Henry for a meeting link