The popcorn was spilled out into baskets that hung from the conveyor belt and moved to fill a tank above the cauldron of caramel. Meanwhile, nearby in huge cauldrons, the rich, sweet and savoury, buttery caramel was being cooked until just right. We continued our tour and got to observe machines that stood two stories high, making popcorn. As we moved along we saw several different types of cookies, coconut macaroons and assorted squares being baked. Here we saw chocolate truffles being made. We bused to the next building and walked in the door to enjoy the amazing smell of chocolate. We were told Harry & David is a green company and all the boxes are from recycled paper and made on site. The pears that do not pass inspection are either donated where needed or used to make cider. Then a pear is dropped into the appropriate bin where it is inspected, then packed. An amazing computerized conveyor belt, holding hundreds of single pears, each in a pocket-like mechanism, moves along and weighs each pear. We started at the fruit processing plant, which is used for cleaning, weighing, separating, inspecting and then packing the pears. Guests are invited to cut their own bouquet.Įach huge building on the campus has a different purpose, and the buildings we toured had a viewing gallery where we could watch and learn. The on-site flower gardens are now open to the public. They do not ripen until at least December, so they are perfect to pack in gift baskets or send out in boxes for the holiday season. The pears are harvested in September and put into cold storage. The reason is that if some act of nature, such as insects, hail, drought or flooding, affects an orchard in one or two areas, there will still be hope of a good harvest in the other orchards. She said similar Royal Riviera pear orchards are located throughout Oregon. From the bus, our guide showed us that the campus contains a pear orchard, flower gardens and many huge buildings. Their venture grew to an indescribably huge size. Surrounded by their pear orchards, the brothers decided to create the brilliantly lucrative “Fruit of the Month” club as well as mail order fruit and assorted gift baskets. Harry and David were born to southern Oregon Jews living there in the early 1900s. ![]() She explained that she started out years ago on the production floor working with the pears, and over the years, she learned everything there is to know about Harry & David and its campus. We were met by our tour guide, ushered aboard a charming little bus and whisked a short ride away to the Harry & David “campus.” Our guide has been with Harry & David for her whole career. ![]() I was really excited to be attending the tour. Along with the tour information, you receive a $5 voucher to use in the store after the tour. The Harry & David factory tour, the reason we were in Medford, must be booked ahead by telephone and costs $5 upon arrival at the Harry & David country store. Products, gift baskets and fruit can be found here. Harry & David delivers to Canada, and its products are kosher. The product lines from these three brands include gift baskets, chocolates, candies, baked goods, their famous Moose Munch popcorn treats, wine, fruit and flowers. Harry & David also sells its wares under the brands Wolferman’s and Cushman’s. Its products are sold in its retail stores, online and through direct mail. Medford is four hours south of Portland by car and the home of Harry & David, a premium food and gift producer and retailer known worldwide for its famous Royal Riviera pears. To realize this goal, we started by taking a trek to Medford, Ore., in the beautiful Rogue Valley. The course was to take place in Portland, but my passion – food and all that goes with it – had to be satisfied as well. This fall, my husband, Jack, and I visited Oregon to attend yet another dental course.
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