Oregon Berry, Hillsboro

In the fertile soils of Washington County, just south of Hillsboro, is a third-generation family-owned business that has been a leader among Oregon’s berry industry. Oregon Berry Packing Company grows the fruit, packs it, and markets it– an example of a fully integrated, progressive ag operation. Founded in 1948 by Louis and Mary Malensky, business was going well until a fire destroyed the processing plant and threatened the future of the company. There were a lot of pieces to pick up. But owner Roy Malensky and his young family built it all back up. The processing plant was reconstructed and has become a clean, modern, technology-driven facility. The entire operation has been reinvigorated, ensuring that berries grown in Oregon maintain their high quality no matter where they end up– in the Pacific Rim or in Europe, in supermarkets or restaurants.

For Oregon Berry, it all starts with....well, the berry. The flavor, color, and appeal of local berries cannot be matched. Blueberries have fast become a favorite in Japan and are already well known in the domestic marketplace. They go from the field to the processing line and ultimately to the consumer. In 1998, Oregon Berry became the number one supplier of fresh Oregon blueberries to Japan.

The story is much the same for blackberries. Fresh or frozen, the picking and cooling is critical. The atmospheric-controlled cooler holds the berries fresher, longer. The sorting assures a consistent, premium product. Technology is great, but you can’t beat quality care by human hand. The packing and shipping completes the cycle.

Then there is the commodity that really launched it all– the tasty, colorful Oregon strawberry. Again, the product is harvested and processed with the utmost care for both the domestic and international marketplace. Strawberries were the first product for Oregon Berry, and they remain a strong seller. Whole, sliced, pureed, or concentrated– processing includes the latest washing and sorting technology as well as manual inspections. The result is yet another quality processed product from Oregon Berry.

Roy Malensky and his company continue to be leaders in agriculture. Whether it is dealing with tough issues like water quality management or farm labor, the Malenskys have been squarely involved. Roy, his wife Barbara, and sons Jeff and Brian, are all part of a progressive, dynamic agricultural operation not far from the hustle and bustle of Oregon's largest city.

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.