Oregon Fruit names Carrie Blomquist president

Oregon Fruit Company promoted Carrie Blomquist to president on July 22, 2026, putting her in charge of the family-owned processor’s next phase of foodservice and fruit-for-beverage growth. Blomquist is the first woman to lead the 91-year-old Oregon company.

Why it matters: - Blomquist will steer Oregon Fruit’s push to defend its core canned, fermentation and foodservice business while expanding in fruit-for-beverage, the area the company expects to grow fastest. - The promotion also marks the first time a woman has served as president in Oregon Fruit’s 91-year history.

What happened: - Oregon Fruit Company promoted Carrie Blomquist to president on July 22, 2026. - Blomquist had been vice president of sales and marketing since 2023. - The company is family-owned and based in Salem, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley. - Blomquist will lead the company’s next phase of growth strategy.

The details: - Blomquist joined Oregon Fruit from Tillamook County Creamery Association. - She brings more than two decades of experience in brand and category growth. - In sales and marketing, Blomquist helped expand Oregon Fruit from a traditional fruit-for-fermentation supplier into a broader foodservice and fruit-for-beverage business. - Her work included leading Oregon Fruit’s 2024 brand refresh. - Her work also included the 2025 launch of Oregon Fruit Real Fruit Refreshers. - Blomquist’s charter centers on “defend and advance.” - The “defend” part focuses on canned, fermentation and foodservice lines, which have long anchored the business. - The “advance” part focuses on fruit-for-beverage, where Oregon Fruit expects the strongest growth. - Ed Maletis, chairman of The Oregon Fruit Company, said Blomquist had been leading Oregon Fruit from behind the scenes for the past year. - Maletis said that period gave the board and employees confidence she was the right choice. - Maletis also cited her three years of institutional knowledge, clear communication style and collaborative approach. - Blomquist said she is honored to step into the role and wants to help lead the 91-year-old company through its next phase of growth.

Between the lines: - The promotion signals continuity rather than a reset. Oregon Fruit is elevating an internal leader who already shaped the company’s recent repositioning. - The focus on fruit-for-beverage suggests the company sees more upside in higher-growth adjacent categories than in its legacy businesses alone. - Naming the first female president in company history also gives the move a milestone dimension beyond operations.

What’s next: - Blomquist is expected to keep building Oregon Fruit’s beverage strategy while protecting the company’s established canned and foodservice businesses. - The company’s next chapter likely centers on balancing core revenue streams with new growth channels. - Oregon Fruit remains headquartered in Salem and continues to market canned, frozen and shelf-stable premium fruit for consumers, foodservice operators and ingredient sales through the company’s website.