Published by the Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service Hazelnut Growers of Oregon By Eds. In addition, the cooperative operates two retail store outlets. Tom Peter serves as chairman.
Hazelnut trees thrive on the mild valley winters.
Of the state's 27,000 acres of hazelnuts, about 37 percent are processed and marketed through HGO and its Westnut subsidiary. The hazelnut first became part of the Chinese diet about 5,000 years ago. Hazelnuts have a mild, sweet flavor and are used in baked goods, tortes, liqueurs and candies around the world. Oregon Orchard Hazelnuts are the co-op's signature gourmet retail product, its first proprietary retail brand venture. The brand was introduced in 1998, targeted toward the expanding specialty foods industry.