Example Press Releases

Web Portal Launch

Salem, Oregon, For Immediate Release –

Thoughtful Fruit (TF), the pioneering company behind the development and commercialization of the everlasting Adapted pear released their brand new retail web portal today.

The newly launched web portal provides information about Adapted pear fresh slices and Adapted dried pear snacks, detailing the unique benefits of both to the retail industry. The portal is ideal for produce managers or frontline staff looking for sustainable solutions that save time, money and eliminate waste. The site features a collection of tools, including a custom field-generated calculator, which allows users to determine cost savings that can be realized with pre-cut slices of Adapted pears.

“We see remarkable demand from the retail industry,” said Marcy Wilkins, Director of Marketing at Thoughtful Fruit. “The fresh-picked flavor of Adapted pear slices is really resonating with produce managers and frontline staff. The portal was designed to provide information and pique the interest of the industry.”

Adapted pears are grown specifically for slicing, resulting in less prep, less waste, and better taste. These long shelf-life fresh pear slices can be prepped and plated right from their package, minimizing both labor and waste, while resulting in more pears eaten in more places. Everlasting Adapted pears provide a sustainable solution to costly chemical solutions that rob flavor, concerns typically associated with pre-cut pears.

“Adapted pears, developed with the fresh-cut market in mind, are a natural fit for retail use,” remarked Samantha Owen, Vice President at Thoughtful Fruit. “The features of Adapted pears benefit the entire supply chain.”

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Ownership Change Announcement

Salem, Oregon, For Immediate Release –

Today Thoughtful Fruit (TF) announces the sale of TF to Connections Biotech, LLC. TF is the pioneering agricultural company behind the development and commercialization of the everlasting Adapted pear. Connections Biotech is a venture capital firm led by Ronald Massey. The transaction closed on July 25, 2020.

TF is a vertically integrated pear growing and marketing company that is grower-founded and grower-led. The company’s everlasting Adapted pear delivers fresh sliced pears with orchard-fresh flavor. TF offers food service operators, retailers and consumers a fresh sliced pear that requires less prep, less waste and better taste. The technology behind Adapted pears provides a sustainable solution that affords a better eating experience, benefiting everyone in the produce supply chain. As an alternative to costly chemical solutions that rob flavor, Adapted pears solve both cost per serving and quality concerns associated with pre-cut pears while also providing an extended shelf-life that minimizes waste.

Archon issued a press release on July 2, 2020 with the announcement that it intended to sell certain non-healthcare assets, including TF, after stating early last year that it would intensify its focus on the healthcare industry.

“Ronald Massey is a powerful champion of our Adapted pears and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with him at Connections Biotech,” said Alexander Gold, Founder of Thoughtful Fruit. “Collaboration with Connections Biotech will facilitate our continued success as we further expand into retail and food service, enhancing our ability to deliver more pears in more places.”

“The success of TF’s Adapted pear is ground-breaking for the produce industry and for bioengineering science,” remarked Massey, CEO of Connections Biotech. “We are excited to add TF’s innovation and passion to our portfolio.” 

TF was sold along with other smaller non-healthcare businesses for $155.9M. With the ownership change to Connections Biotech, TF’s activities remain focused on expanding the availability of Adapted pears into new marketplaces. Thoughtful Fruit announced the introduction of its fresh pear slices into retail last fall.  

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