Ashland Food Co-op in Oregon and Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery in Lincoln, Neb., are two co-ops that are enthusiastically embracing peach season.

Last month, Ashland Food Co-op purchased this season’s fruit crop from Rolling Hills Farm, a farm they have partnered with for more than 35 years. The co-op also took control of orchard operations, now led by Ashland’s produce manager, Joe Reyes. Reyes has been integral in the co-op’s transition to orchard operator while simultaneously managing Ashland’s produce department.

Although peaches are the primary crop, Rolling Hills also grows nectarines, plums and Asian pears. The peaches and other fruit are certified organic since the first planting 30 years ago.

Through the partnership with Rolling Hills Farm, Ashland Food Co-op has also supplied fruit to Medford Food Co-op in Medford, Ore., and First Alternative Co-op in Corvallis, Ore. The peaches have been sold to local supermarkets in the area, as well.

Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery recently opened a new store in downtown Lincoln. This summer, Marc Lorenz, the co-op’s produce manager, went all in promoting Colorado peaches ― with amazing results. Lorenz helped coordinate a storewide promotion of peaches that involved all departments. Promotions included large signage throughout the store, case displays and even custom shopping bags featuring the lyrics “Moving to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches.”

Other peach-inspired products included Southern peach cobbler and peach pastries in the bakery; peach salsa in the deli; candles and peach-shaped earrings; and peach beers and ciders in grocery.

The collaborative work paid off. Open Harvest Co-op saw a 16% increase over last year’s sales, which equates to $20,013 in Colorado peach sales in just under eight weeks.

“Not only did we have great sales, but the quality of the peaches just seemed better this year than in previous years.” Lorenz says. “I can’t thank everyone in the store enough for all their help with selling and promoting this season. Just like every year, it truly is a group effort.”