Meeker Raspberry

Meeker was developed by Washington State University and released as a new cultivar in 1967. Meeker is vigorous with long fruiting laterals. Modifications to harvesters allowed Meeker to be machine harvested and by the late 1980s, Meeker was the predominate cultivar grown in Washington. Meeker is a sweet raspberry with the delicious flavor one expects, but bred to be stronger withstanding mechanical harvesting without loss of quality. This development has contributed greatly to Washington’s elevation in status as one of the largest raspberry producing regions in the world. Meeker is the most widely planted raspberry in Washington and the Pacific Northwest, representing 80 % of the plants sold in Washington in 2003 and averaging almost 70% for 2001-2008. Meeker is a late season, very productive summer fruiting raspberry with excellent traditional raspberry flavor. It is a versatile cultivar with its fruit being usable for fresh, IQF, bulk frozen, juice or puree.