Family owned pineapple business takes on produce giants

Washington, Dec 11: Think pineapple and Hawaii probably comes to mind.  Which is why it might be surprising to learn that though the 50th state led pineapple production in the 1960's, Hawaii doesn't even rank in the top ten global producers now.  But Lisa and Craig Bowden have a plan to change all that.

They have  a tiny company,  less than 20 employees and their business Hawaiian Crown is the last and only family-owned commercial pineapple farm in the state.  But what Hawaiian Crown lacks in size, it more than makes up for in spirit.  Even though Lisa and Craig may be outgunned by produce giants, they have still managed to invest more than $3 million and 20 years of research and development.

"Pineapple has a very special place in Hawaii as a symbol of hospitality," says Craig Bowden.  Yet, quality and quantity has "declined relative to cheaper, lower cost sources around the world."

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