Roy Tedford established Northern in 1928. From its brick warehouse on Columbia Street in Wenatchee, Roy, his son Rex, and grandson Duane packed and distributed apples and cherries during the ensuing 45 years. Sales manager Jim Pauly and associates Al Chandler and Jim Fulleton acquired Northern when Duane perished in a plane accident. In 1975, Northern bought and relocated to the East Wenatchee Mann and Farrington warehouse.
After more than 20 years of marketing apples for Alan and Larry Witte, Northern bought the Witte Orchards warehouse in 2009 and changed the name to Ice Lakes.
Present-day shareholders and prominent long-term employees of Northern include Doug Pauly, Greg Clevenger, Jorge Sanchez, and Dave Allen.

