Washington Apple Growers Invest in Technology

Many Washington apple growers are investing in new technology at packing plants to ensure a high quality of fruit ships to consumers.

Allan Brothers Fruits has invested more than $7 million over three years at its packing line in Naches  Its scanners check apples for defects at the rate of 2,400 apples a minute.

The packing line technology allows growers to increase volume without adding employees. But, fruit growers need a new kind of employee in the packing shed — one who can operate computer-controlled systems.