Just after the turn of the century, a young Armenian named Armen Tertsagian emigrated from the Near East to the United States, working his way from Ellis Island across the rugged continent to the infant city of Seattle. There he met Mark Balaban, another young Armenian who was visiting from England. It wasn't long before the two became fast friends and decided to venture into business together.

But life in Seattle was far from easy. Their initial business ventures-- a yogurt factory and an Armenian restaurant-- were both ahead of their time. And the gray, wet winters were difficult for people used to the balmy eastern Mediterranean climate.

So Mark and Armen packed up and headed for Eastern Washington. On the far side of Stevens Pass, nestled at the foot of the Cascade Mountains they found a valley carpeted with fruit orchards. It was here, in the fertile Vale of Cashmere that they settled, purchasing an apple farm which they named Liberty Orchards in honor of their new homeland.

Times were tough for most orchardists in 1918, so Mark and Armen searched for new ways to make use of their surplus fruit. Apple dehydration seemed a logical first move and, coinciding with the onset of World War I, Northwest Evaporating was born. This new enterprise not only assisted the local farmers, but helped the war effort by providing "an apple a day" for the boys "over there". Other successes for Liberty Orchards included "Applum"- a delicious jam made from apples and plums, and a local cannery named Wenatchee Valley Foods.