Harry & David – 90 Years All About the Gifting

Though new to the Southern Oregon area, I am not new to Harry & David. Originally from the Seattle area, Harry & David stores were a favorite stop when looking for a special gift for someone. There were dedicated stores year-round and pop-up stores during the holidays. It was always such a fun place to peruse.

“Since 1934, Harry & David has grown to become America’s premier choice for gourmet gifts. From our handpicked fresh fruit to our hand-packed gift baskets filled with delicious treats, we are committed to providing premium quality and excellence in every way.”

Recently had the privilege of participating in a Harry & David Hosted Dinner. It began with a tour bus ride up to their Royal Crest Orchards in Talent where a group of over 30 people learned about the power and heritage of the Harry & David pear. Thousands of pears are picked each day during peak harvest time and shipped all over the world. I learned of the proprietary Royal Riviera pear, exclusive to Harry & David, was originally cultivated by the two brothers, Harry and David Holmes. Gratefully, each dinner participant received a box of their delicious peaches another favorite fresh gifting fruit. Once home, it wasn’t easy waiting for them to ripen to perfection. Don’t worry, instructions are included how to get them to that perfect eating place.

The focus of Harry & David is gifting, not producing products. Everything they create and ship is in a gift format so when we arrived at the dinner, a short ride after the tour, it’s no surprise that the presentation and meal they created was a gift in and of itself! From the beautiful table decorations and place settings to the decadent 4-course meal, it was an incredible experience that hit all of the senses. The Harry & David wine pairings with each course were an exceptional bonus.

Executive Chef Desiree Marca designed and delivered this gourmet menu to the delight of each one of us. She shared with the group that each of the ingredients and combinations were thoughtfully chosen. The combinations were colorful, full of flavor and pieces of art.

One thing that stood out to me is the longevity of the employees in attendance. I sat by a couple who met at Harry & David, married, raised their family, and are now retiring. Similar stories were shared throughout the evening. That says so much about the company values and work environment there.

I highly encourage you to get on the invite list so that you can experience one of these Hosted Dinners. Contact Rhonda Klug at [email protected] to find out when the next one is scheduled for and sign up!

Thank you to Harry & David for their legacy here in Southern Oregon and Happy 90th Anniversary! I think I’ll go buy some pears…

Who Are Harry and David? | The Table by Harry & David