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Our CertificationsOur hISTORY

from a humble packing house…

to an internationally respected firm

 

Located in the heart of the Hood River Valley since 1919, Duckwall Fruit has grown from a humble packing house in the middle of an orchard to an internationally respected firm that packs over two million cartons annually of premium pears. Our markets are worldwide with domestic shipments to every corner of the United States. Duckwall Fruit exports to all reaches of the world with major markets in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. Fruit varieties from Hood River Valley orchards, hand picked into large plastic bins are delivered to Duckwall from mid-August until early October. Upon arrival, the bins are routed to either ambient air cold storage or controlled atmosphere storage (CA) depending on how the fruit is scheduled for future grading and sizing.

Fred Duckwall – Retired with 50 years of Contributions to the Family Business

“We have been lucky to have people involved who believe in the mission of maintaining our reputation in the marketplace as one of the premier packers in the Northwest.”

Nathan Duckwall – Special Projects and Maintenance Manager

“The best part of working for this family business is being proud of Duckwall Fruit’s reputation, and being able to carry on the business’s success for generations to come.”

Sara Duckwall– Project and Communications Director

“The best part of working for my family business is being part of something bigger than me. I am so proud of the Company culture and the legacy that lives on.”

Ed Weathers – President/Sales Manager

“Being part of the legacy at Duckwall is important to me, as well as making the business stronger for the generations to come.”

OUR MISSION

  • The mission of Duckwall Fruit is to mold a team of people who will achieve the best possible results for our growers, customers and ultimately the consumer.
  • Be the best packer in the Northwest and earn that reputation in the market.
  • Maintain our integrity with all people.
  • Create a happy place to work.
  • Recruit and retain the best possible employees in the Northwest.
  • Grow moderately to be competitive and use the capacity of our facilities.
  • Achieve target profitability.
  • Pay our dues for the space we occupy in our Community and Industry.

CERTIFICATIONS

We strive to provide an excellent quality and safe end product for the consumer. We certify our facility on various levels and through numerous entities to meet all of your buying needs. Please contact Craig Mallon directly if you have any certification questions or need proof of specific certificates held by Duckwall Fruit.

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  • SQF Facility and Grower
  • SQF Costco Addendum
  • USDA Facility and Grower
  • Walmart and Costco Ethic Certified

                             

SEE OUR FACILITIES

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Duckwall History

Over 100 years

Duckwall Fruit began in 1919, when the Duckwall brothers, John and William St. Clair, shipped apples from Hood River, Oregon to Indianapolis, Indiana. Returns were better than that of neighboring growers who asked to be included in the following year’s shipment.

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Because of that initial success, the first office was established in Hood River in 1926. To increase the distribution and improve sales profits of fruit, John traveled to Europe in 1929 to establish export markets that have grown to about one third of the company’s total sales volume. In 1958, Duckwall Brothers moved all facilities to Odell, in the middle of the Hood River Valley, where they remain today.

 

In 1971, the company grew dramatically with the merger of Duckwall Fruit and Pooley Fruit Company, and the current corporate name, Duckwall Fruit, simplified the company’s identification.  Duckwall Fruit currently packages over 2.25 million cartons of pears that are grown by over 70 growers on 115 separate farms. In 2019, the company celebrated its 100th birthday.

Our pears are marketed under three basic labels: Duckwall, Gosling, and Mt. Hood. We are proud of our heritage and we look forward, with our excellent staff of dedicated employees, to continue serving our growers and to provide quality pears around the world.