Stretch Island Fruit Company Supports Organic Farming Expansion
Responding to a growing need for more organic fruit, Stretch Island Fruit Company, makers of all-natural fruit leather since 1976 and FruitaBü organic fruit snacks since 2005, is partnering with the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) to help further the improvement and expansion of organic farming systems.
Stretch Island will invest $450,000 over the next three years to increase organic fruit research and education projects. The funds will be distributed through a competitive grant process. In addition to this special fruit initiative, the company will also contribute to OFRF’s general grant-making program in an effort to support the overall growth of organic agriculture throughout North America.
“We are pleased to partner with the Stretch Island Fruit Company on this initiative to help cultivate the knowledge base available to organic growers,” said OFRF President and organic fruit grower Steve Ela. “This generous donation will be significant in supporting research and education projects necessary to continue the growth of organic farming.”
“We recognize the growing demand for organic fruit,” said John Henry Siedlecki, spokesperson for the Stretch Island Fruit Company. “We’re delighted to partner with OFRF in this endeavor to promote organic farming research and increase the rate of organic conversion.”
OFRF offers funds for research on any topic that will improve organic production systems, and for education and outreach projects to share organic farming information with current organic producers and to farmers and ranchers considering transitioning their operations to organic.
About Stretch Island Fruit Company
Stretch Island Fruit Company, a leading provider of all-natural and organic fruit snacks, has been making it easy for people to enjoy the nourishing goodness of real fruit since 1976. The company has grown from a humble, two-person operation to become the leading natural fruit snack brand in the U.S., based on the simple values of optimism, social consciousness, simplicity and health. www.stretch-island.com or www.fruitabu.com
About the Organic Farming Research Foundation
The Organic Farming Research Foundation was founded in 1990 to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming practices. Its mission is to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues. The majority of OFRF’s board members are working organic farmers. www.ofrf.org