Meet Neal Carter of Okanagan Specialty Fruits

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neal Carter.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Neal. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF) is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, growing, processing and marketing of novel tree fruit varieties developed through bioengineering and other molecular tools. Based in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada, our company was founded in 1996 and was acquired by an affiliate of Third Security, LLC in 2020. Our flagship product is the nonbrowning Arctic® apples. Arctic apples provide a sustainable solution to less food waste and improved apple consumption.

OSF’s mission is to lead the market with Arctic branded fruit products that consistently deliver an exceptional eating experience to consumers through transparent stakeholder outreach, communication and innovative science.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It took years of research and development to get OSF to where it is today. We are incredibly proud of our team member’s efforts over the years. In 2002 our research and development team proved the science behind Arctic apples. We began planting field trials in Washington and New York state in the following years. Obtaining regulatory clearance was another shining achievement. In 2015 our Arctic® Granny and Arctic® Golden apples received regulatory approval from the USDA, FDA, CFIA and HC. After receiving approval, we planted our first commercial orchard in Washington State. Arctic® Fuji received USDA approval in 2016, HC and CFIA approval in 2018 and FDA approval in 2019.

In November 2017, Arctic Golden became the first Arctic apple variety launched in select U.S. test markets. We began planting Arctic Fuji apples in our Washington state orchards in 2018, the same year we launched our Arctic ApBitz® dried apple snacks on Amazon. In 2019, Arctic apples’ retail availability throughout the U.S. expanded and we introduced our Arctic Granny fresh slices. Both varieties were introduced to the U.S. food service industry that same year. Arctic Fuji will be the next variety available in 2021.

Please tell us about Okanagan Specialty Fruits.
Arctic® apples are just like other apples. Only they don’t brown prematurely thanks to the help of bioengineering. We’ve used the apple’s own genes to “turn off” the enzymes that make apples brown when they are sliced, bitten or bruised. Arctic apples are a convenient way for consumers to enjoy apples and increase apple consumption.

Arctic apples keep their orchard-fresh taste longer, offering an unparalleled “fresh-picked” eating experience; and are still just as wholesome as their conventional counterparts.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
We wouldn’t be here today without the efforts of our R&D team. We are incredibly proud and grateful for the years of dedication and effort they put into their work.

Pricing:

• Pricing for our fresh apple slices is dependent on the specific retailer’s promotions. You can find our fresh apple slices at 99 Cents Only Stores near you.
• Our ApBitz® dried apple snacks can be purchased on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Granny-ApBitz-Dried-Apples/dp/B07PZZ424R/

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arcticapples.com/
• Email: media@okspecialtyfruits.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arctic_apples/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arcticapples
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArcticApples

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