Believe it or not, Snoboy wasn't always a world-famous produce expert. In fact, early in his career he didn't even leave the state of Washington! It is only through hard work, consistency, and innovation that Snoboy became a household name—and in the process, developed his place in history as a produce and industry icon. Take a trip through time to see how Snoboy came to be who he is today – and all he experienced along the way!
Equipped with a horse-drawn cart and a vision, George Youell sets out to support his family by selling fruit to the Tacoma community, laying Snoboy’s foundation in the process.
Hawaii is first occupied by the United States, becoming an official state 69 years later in 1959. That’s right – Snoboy has been around longer than Hawaii!
The Wright Brothers innovated the way we travel with the first powered flight of an airplane.
As word spreads—and people from Tacoma to the Yakima Valley begin searching for Youell’s produce—his company grows immensely and begins doing business as the Pacific Fruit and Produce Company.
Henry Ford revolutionizes transportation with the Ford Model T and the assembly line, paving the way for Snoboy to bring his produce to kitchens across the country.
Snoboy is born! After recognizing the superiority of Washington-grown apples, Pacific Fruit and Produce begins packing them under the Snoboy brand. While there are many apples grown in Washington, only a few are selected to be packed in his brand.
As Snoboy’s retail popularity grows, he releases the first in a series of iconic television ads.
In a nod to Snoboy’s larger-than-life status, Pacific Gamble Robinson erects a monumental Snoboy sign—which can still be seen standing today on 5th street in downtown Minneapolis—at the company’s then-headquarters.
The United States accomplished the impossible. Apollo 11 safely lands, and Snoboy watches Neil Armstrong become the first man on the moon from thousands of miles away on his colorized Zenith.
Ronald Reagan enters the Oval Office. By this time, Snoboy has seen 10 presidents in office – that’s quite a legacy!
Snoboy gets a fresh new look! Amerifresh is formed and Snoboy gets a modern makeover, complete with fancy new earmuffs. What a fashion statement!
Snoboy gets a snazzy new haircut and returns to retail! After traveling extensively to provide the foodservice industry with his premium-quality fruits and vegetables, Snoboy finally returns to his roots: pointing the public in the direction of produce we can trust.
Snoboy celebrates 90 years as a leader in fresh produce.
Snoboy inscribes “Freshness Guaranteed” on every box of his triple-inspected produce. Look a little closer and you may notice something: Snoboy’s promise always appears immediately under his own name. Because—in his own words—Snoboy is always committed to his famous quality and consistency.
