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There is a reason that Harry & David, known for their flavorful pears, beautiful gift baskets and multitude of treats (Moose Munch!), has been been around since 1910 and has employees that have worked for the company for 20, 30, even 50 years. They are dedicated to product quality and intent on taking care of their employees. These are just a couple of things that struck me in my recent trip to Medford, Oregon, and the surrounding areas of Jacksonville and Ashland.
Others who attended (such a fantastic group of people!)…
Left to right:
Brenda of A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
Carrie of La Pomme de Portland
Brian of A Thought for Food
Sandy of Reluctant Entertainer
Heather of Farmgirl Gourmet
Me (doing my best Vanna White with the Harry & David sign)
Matthew of A Good Time with Wine
Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking
Julie of Peanut Butter Fingers
Aggie of Aggie’s Kitchen
Maggy of Three Many Cooks
Not shown:
Sommer of A Spicy Perspective (stuck on a plan that evening)
Kelly of Martha Stewart Living (she joined us later)
Magnolia Inn – Jacksonville, Oregon
I can’t simply gloss over our accommodations for this trip because Magnolia Inn in Jacksonville, Oregon deserves every compliment I can throw its way. The two owners, Robert and Susan, are nothing short of charming and hospitable.
From the thoughtful decorations (seriously, Susan thinks of everything) to the homemade treats each afternoon, it feels like a place you could call home for a week.
I’m very tempted to make a special trip back to the area with my family just so we can stay at the Magnolia Inn.
Our fabulous hosts:
The hospitality didn’t stop with our comfortable accommodations. To say that Sandy and Paul Coughlin know how to entertain would be a sorry understatement. Sandy fills her fantastic blog, Reluctant Entertainer, with ideas to make casual and fancy entertaining effortless and memorable.
They invited us to their warm and comfortable home for a lovely dinner, peppered with tasty Harry & David products, set under glowing lights in their beautiful backyard.
They thought of every detail and managed to make us feel so welcome and relaxed.
The Pear Orchard:
This is where we got into the nitty-gritty and started to learn about the growing and harvesting of Harry & David’s famous pears.
Matt Borman, the director of the orchards, educated us on the ins and outs of caring for the trees and the fruit. While Harry & David grows a variety of different pears, they are most well-known for the Royal Riviera pears, which are found nestled in almost all Harry & David gift baskets. The extreme temperatures found in the Rogue Valley are not only good for growing grapes (leading to thriving vineyards in the area), but it also a hospitable environment for Royal Riviera pears.
The contraption seen on the right is a heater to safeguard the delicate fruit during harsh temperatures.
Speaking of wine, Harry & David announced to us that they will be launching their own line of wines in 2013, including nine varietals. We had an opportunity to taste the wine. My personal favorites were the Sauvignon Blanc and the Pinot Noir. The wine will be a wonderful addition to Harry & David’s line of products.
Back to the pears…During the 4 to 5 weeks of harvest each year, the 300-350 pickers at Harry & David harvest 700 tons of pears per day. Each person responsible for picking the pears is trained to treat each pair as gently as a newborn kitten.
Gaby demonstrating that we do what we have to do to send a tweet.
The pears are carefully picked and carried to insure that as few of them as possible are bruised. Any fruit that does have broken or bruised skin is sent off to make concentrate or baby food.
At the Harry & David Packing Plant & Around Ashland
Now, if you met a third-generation candy maker, who spent his day perfecting chocolate creations, what would you hope his name would be? Well, “Charlie” of course. And so we met Charlie and learned the ins and outs of making Harry & David’s cakes and confections.
From our perches above the factory floors, we witnessed pears being carefully transported towards the gift baskets, pan after pan of peanut butter and jelly bars being constructed by diligent workers, holiday boxes being filled for the Christmas season and yards upon yards of ribbon being cut to decorate those boxes and baskets.
Around every corner was a friendly employee, dutifully working at their job or hustling off to another part of the factory. We even stumbled upon a lunchroom celebration where cake was being presented to an employee who worked at Harry & David for 50 years.
We each tried our hand at packing a gift basket for a loved one (mine only stayed together because of the careful instruction by Pam, one of the packing trainers who helped us). You’ll be glad to know that the basket I’m giving away was not packed by me. I’ll leave that to the experts!
And so, let’s move on to that gift basket.
The giveaway:
Thanks to the generosity of the folks at Harry & David, I am giving away one Applegate Gift Basket Classic (retail value $49.95).
The gorgeous canvas-lined basket contains:
5 Royal Riviera® Pears
2 Apples
Roasted Almonds (6 oz.)
Dried Fruit Mix (4 oz.)
Double Nut Granola (12 oz.)
To enter:
REQUIRED: Leave a comment on this post.
OPTIONAL: To earn additional entries, leave separate comments for each of the steps listed below. If you don’t leave separate comments for each step, the number generator will not count them as separate entries. If you already follow/”like” Harry & David or Cookin’ Canuck, just let me know that in your comments.
1. “Like” Harry & David on Facebook.
2. Follow Harry & David on Twitter.
3. “Like” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
4. Follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter.
5. Pin this post on Pinterest.
6. Share on Facebook (please provide a link to your share)
5. Tweet about this giveaway: Visit @cookincanuck for a chance to win a beautiful @HarryandDavid gift basket. http://bit.ly/TKWaV7 #giveaway
This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and will be open until Monday, October 29th at 5pm PT.
The winner will be chosen using a random number generator and will be notified via email, so please make sure your email address is correct. You will have 48 hours to respond to me, or a new winner will be chosen.
Good luck!
Disclaimer: Harry & David provided the gift basket for this giveaway and paid my travel expenses for the trip. However, I was not compensated to write this post.
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{ 270 comments… read them below or add one }
The pictures are beautiful!
Glad you had fun! I love Harry and David!
It looks like a dream trip!
Dara, it’s rare that one gets an opportunity to go behind the scenes at a terrific operation such as Harry & David, but to be a part of a group of talented bloggers makes it that much sweeter. Thank you for sharing your lovely vantage point with us!
Very, very cool trip with a wonderful group of bloggers!
What a gorgeous group and The Magnolia Inn looks absolutely amazing! So glad you had a good time!!
beautiful pictures!
I love the photo of all of the bloggers taking pictures. It really is funny traveling with fellow bloggers.
Just love Harry and David and your pictures are wonderful. Looks like a great trip and next time invite me please!!!
Really loved reading your post and following the rest of the “gang” on the trip.
Following you on twitter (@mysweetzepol)!
Also follow Harry and David on Twitter (@mysweetzepol).
Following Harry and David on Facebook!
sounds like a lovely trip. Great pictures!!!
Twitted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/MySweetZepol/status/260384524914028545
Following CC on Facebook!
I have loved Harry and David for years. I am so envious of your trip!
follow harry and david on twitter @saramama
liked you on fb
sara peterson davis
follow you on twitter @saramama
tweet https://twitter.com/SaraMama/status/260386666664058881
Wow, what a trip! I’m a wee bit jealous but so happy for you!
Wow! Makes me want to hit out for the Magnolia Inn right now! Thanks for such a wonderful give-away… good luck to all!
What a great giveaway! I love Harry and David!
Yummy
I already “Like” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
they have some great pears
“Like” Harry & David on Facebook.
Follow Harry & David on Twitter.
“Like” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
I now “Like” Harry & David on Facebook.
I love Harry & David pears! And don’t even get me started on Moose Munch…
Follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter.
tweet https://twitter.com/cjsorel/status/260398736772059136
Have loved Harry and David for years. Give the pears away every year.
I love the pictures. Looks like a beautiful trip!
pin it http://pinterest.com/pin/125608277078499356/
I have enjoyed Harry & David pears for years. Great giveaway…..Hope I am the lucky winner.
Ha, that picture of Gaby is classic tweeting/texting which I often do with my Starbucks
Great recap…I already follow you on twitter and FB too.
Thanks!
I love Harry & David pears!
I am a long time fan of Harry and David’s….they are a staple in our house at the holidays!
Glad you got to go. It looks like loads of fun and beautiful scenery!
wow! What a trip! I love anything Harry & David – YUM
What a great giveaway-thanks!
Wonderful pictures..makes you just want to go there…
nice post and pictures. Now I am going to check out The Reluctant Entertainer website
I love Harry & David products and would love to visit their facility sometime!
What a great trip!!!
Follow on FB!
Subscribe via email!
I love Harry & David! Their treats are heavenly:)
Love Harry & David. Great giveaway!
This looks like such a fun trip!
And I already follow you on Twitter
And I’ve “liked” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook for quite awhile now
Looks like you had a wonderful time at Harry & David, and the Magnolia Inn looks amazing! Thanks for the opportunity to win this basket, Dara.
Just had pears and cottage cheese for lunch: oh, wish they were Harry and David’s Royal Riviera! Yum!
Thanks so much for sharing..what a great time was had by all!
I like Harry and David on FB
Oregon is such a beautiful state. Looks like you had so much fun at Harry & David.
I like Cookin Canuck on FB
Makes me so homesick. We are from Medford but now live in Phoenix, AZ. We miss home so much esp when I see pics like this. Harry and David is such a great place to pick up fruit, veggies, and kitchen items. I love their Royal Rivera Pears. They are the best! Getting this basket will be like a piece of home.
I loved, I mean liked Harry and David on Facebook
I “liked” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
I shared you on my facebook page…http://www.facebook.com/deborah.sommerlot
What a wonderful trip, would love to go to Harry and David’s and the inn
Liked Harry and David on Facebook
Now I understand why Harry and David’s pears are so good! Thanks.
Love Harry & David’s.
I like Cookin’ Canuck on FB.
I tweeted a link to this giveaway: http://bit.ly/Shw2SE
I like Harry and David on Facebook
I follow Harry and David on Twitter
I follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twiter
I like Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook
I shared a link to this giveaway on my Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/RdnWwq
Looks Like you had a wonderful time!!! I love Harry & David’s
I would love to win this gift basket. I love Harry & David!
I Follow Harry & David on Twitter @Austin_FIT
I Follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter @Austin_FIT
Looks like such a lovely trip. I hear so amny good things about Harry and David’s
What an interesting trip! Everything looks so beautiful….Thanks for the great giveaway!
Looks like it was a fun trip! I’m a big fan of H&D!
I like H&D on FB
I like you on FB
Looks delicious! I love Harry and David!!
I’m loving that giveaway basket! So cute!
I love Harry and David! Great pictures- it looks like you guys had a ton of fun!
Wow…cool place. Great that you had a chance to visit…:)
I follow cookin canuck on twitter
I lovedabou learning about providers like Harry and david. Love that they recognized their employee’s 50 years of service. Kudos!
This looks like so much fun! Glad you had a good time. : )
I loved learning about providers like Harry and david. Love that they recognized their employee’s 50 years of service. Kudos!
I follow you on Twitter!
I follow Harry & David on Twitter, too!
I tweeted the giveaway! https://twitter.com/jarslikejam/status/260454511494197248
What a beautiful setting!
I’ve loved Harry & David ever since I was little and we would get the catalogs! I can never resist how good their fruit looks. It was very fun to get a peek behind the scenes.
I follow Cookin Canuck on FB.
I shared the giveaway on FB.
I liked Harry & David on FB.
I pinned this post on Pinterest.
What beautiful pictures and a wonderful trip! I know Harry & David is known for their outstanding fruit….but their Moose Mix…oh my!
I like Harry & David on Facebook.
I like Cookin Canuck on Facebook.
I pinned this post on Pinterest.
Love the pictures plus I love Harry & David.
I LOVE Harry and David . . . look forward to their wonderful fruits and nuts every year. What a huge treat!
I already follow Cookin’ Canuck and Harry and David on Facebook! Such good ideas every time
My grandparents would always send us Harry and David pears, the best
I LIKED Harry and david on face book
I’m so happy you were able to head up there and experience the greatness of Harry & David. They are so fabulous! Great recap!
Harry & David are my go to place for divine gift baskets!
I already like Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
Looks like a lot of fun. Beautiful pics. Love Harry and David. Would love to win. Thanks.
I already follow Harry & David on Twitter.
gorgeous pictures and I’m jealous
I follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter.
I like Harry and David on FB.
I follow Harry and David on Twitter.
I like Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
I follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter. @sebh55
I like Harry & David on facebook
I follow Harry & David on twitter
I like cookin’ canuck on facebook
I pinned on Pinterest. Susan Hatcher.
I follow cookin’ canuck on twitter. @EllisClaudia
I shared on FB. http://www.facebook.com/susan.b.hatcher/posts/460758097295744
I shared the giveaway on facebook http://www.facebook.com/claudia.ellis.161/posts/292650580839699
Seriously makes me want to take a trip to Oregon!! Beautiful!
I tweeted about the giveaway. https://mobile.twitter.com/sebh55/status/260482651490758656
Looks like a fabulous trip! Love the pictures.
I “Like” Harry & David on Facebook.
I Follow Harry & David on Twitter.
I Like” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
I Follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter.
Looks like a lovely trip! What a wonderful looking Inn, and the orchard tour looked interesting!
I tweeted about this giveaway
Love this post…. I pinned on Pinterest,
I LIKED Harry and David on face book
I already like Cookin Canuck on facebook
I repinned on pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/436215913876961361/
I love pears!
Moose munch is THE best!
I have read so much about Harry and David all over the interwebs this week. SO EXCITED
I liked Harry & David on Facebook.
I liked Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
I pinned this post on Pinterst.
What a nice time it looks like you all had, thanks for the chance to win!
I like Harry & David on Facebook. Thanks!
I like Cookin Canuck on Facebook, thanks!
I follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter.
That looks like a fun experience. I’d love to be entered in the drawing.
I shared on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/abakershouse
Thanks!
What a great giveaway! Please sign me up
Love Harry and David! The moosemunch is addictive!
Following you on Twitter
Following Harry and David on Twitter!
Tweeted the giveaway
Looks like you had a good time.
The basket looks amazing also! Thanks for the giveaway
Posted on Pinterest!
I like Cookin Canuck on face book
Love the pictures – brings fall into focus!
Love their fruit and moose munch…yummy!
The orchard looks like the perfect place to have a picnic. So pretty. Those pears! Beautiful!
I LIKED Harry & David’s on Facebook.
I already LIKE your Facebook page.
I pinned the photo of the gift basket. Great gift idea!
Great giveaway. Thank you. Looks like a great time.
What a beautiful basket. This looks like it was a fun way to experience fall.
What a great post! Makes me think of a trip to the Inn…
What a fantastic giveaway! The Magnolia Inn looks like a little bit of heaven on Earth.
Harry and David’s fruit is the best…and their chicken pot pie is the best too!
I like you on facebook
Truely beautiful pictures. I love Harry and David especially at the holidays.
Sign me up … Peggy
Wow! What a fabulous basket. I would love to win and share with my co-workers.
Love Harry and David! What a fabulous trip!!
I love Harry and David products!!
Like Harry and David on Facebook
It’s refreshing to learn Harry & David not only offers divine treats, but also treats their employees so wonderfully!
Like Cookin Canuk on Facebook
Love Harry and David!!
I love Harry & David, what a lovely gift basket!
I follow you on FB.
I follow you on Twitter.
I love visiting Harry & David–it looks like you had a fabulous time. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like Harry & David on Facebook
@Lexiquin follows @HarryandDavid on Twitter
I like you on Facebook
@Lexiquin follows you on Twitter
http://pinterest.com/pin/189784571768749833/
Great pictures. Looks like you had a blast (:
Moniquebbon at gmail dot com
“Like” Harry & David on Facebook.
Moniquebbon at gmail dot com
Tweet! https://twitter.com/lexiquin/status/260602458793992193
“Like” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook: Monique Bon
Moniquebbon at gmail dot com
Tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/MoniqueBon/status/260604807558078465
Moniquebbon at gmail dot com
What a wonderful event you had there. This is a gorgeous giveaway. I would love to taste those sweet and juicy pears and apples.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
“Liked” Harry & David on Facebook.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Following Harry & David on Twitter.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
“Liked” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Following Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Pinned:
http://pinterest.com/pin/53269208064040466/
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Shared on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/uTry.it/posts/339262076170806
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted: https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/260627909130194944
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I’d love me some Moose Munch!
Looks like such a fun trip!
What a great post, Dara. Thanks for taking the time to add all of those photos! Harry and David is my “go to” gift baskets for when I need to send a special gift (like my husband’s boss). They are great for sending to families with children as well. Did you check out the fun holiday gift boxes? Actually, I never really need a reason to order from them.
Great giveaway!!
hi Dara – I pinned it and I already follow you on FB! Thanks!
ps – Looks like you all had a lot of fun!
What a lovely trip you had! I was just looking at a Harry and David catalogue a week ago and remembering the one time I had the Royal Riveria pears…they were so juicy I couldn’t believe it!
What a fantastic recap, Dara. It was such a pleasure to hang with you for 3 full days. You are so fun, lively, beautiful, talented, PLUS you got my little bootie out the door running with you! Yay! Don’t enter me for the giveaway, but I’ll spread the love! xo
What a fun trip for sure. Harry & David was amazing and meeting my favorite food bloggers…priceless.
p.s. – don’t enter me in the giveaway.
Your pictures are great! I love Harry and David Products
I “Like” Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook
I Follow Cookin’ Canuck on Twitter
I Follow Harry & David on Twitter
I “Like” Harry & David on Facebook
I tweeted this giveaway https://twitter.com/keshakeke/status/260884780902674432
That looks fantastic!
unfortunately H&D is way out of my priceline but their produce always does look good ….
Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!
I like Cookin’ Canuck on Facebook!
we order for my grandparents every year for christmas…. i would love one for myself!
We received a Harry & David gift basket once. It was awesome!
I just can’t get enough of those pears! mouthwatering!
I like Harry & David on FB.
I follow Harry and David on Twitter.
I like Cookin Canuck on FB!
I follow Cookin Canuck on twitter.
I shared your post (picture) on FB. not sure how to provide a link?
I tweeted about your giveaway!
I pinned your post on pinterest!
I always loved looking through the catalog when I was a kid and loved when my parents got a box of fruit in the mail.
I’ve loved all of your photos from the trip, looks like you all had a lovely time! So jealous you got to experience Sandy’s hospitality first hand!
I follow you on twitter!
I follow you on facebook too!
Wonderful! I’d love to try the H & D experience too!
I liked H & D on FB
I followed H & D on Twitter
I liked you on FB
I followed you on Twitter
Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Those pears look so amazing!
I follow H&D on Twitter.
I follow H&D on FB.
I’m following you on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/megans_madness/status/261247764250361856
I liked CC on FB.
Yum! In the past, we have been blessed with Harry & David’s gifts from an uncle.
I would love to win!!
I like harry and david on FB.
Everything sounds great!
Thanks for the giveaway!
these pictures are gorgeous! looks like such an amazing time
Pears are about the only fruit my husband will eat. He’d love this!
I like you on Facebook (Carolsue Anderson)
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I follow you on Twitter as MsCarolsueA
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I like Harry and David on Facebook (Carolsue Anderson)
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I follow Harry and David on Twitter as MsCarolsueA
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I pinned this on Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/pin/138204282286350940/
I shared on Facebook (Carolsue Anderson)
https://www.facebook.com/MsCarolsueA/posts/403126966425912
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/262098709188337664
What an amazing trip ~ looks like everyone had a great time!!
Ooh, that is amazing you got to go behind the scenes! What a fun time
Looks like an amazing time. Thanks for sharing!
I also like you on Facebook
looks like you had a great time! love fruits & you can’t get fresher than at an orchard!
I love Harry and David gourmet gift baskets! I follow H&D on Twitter. Thank you for sharing about your visit. Looks like an amazing trip.
What an amazing trip!! Gorgeous countryside…
Liked you on fb (terri)
Liked harry and david on fb (terri)
Follow harry and david on twitter (@terri)
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