Wandin Valley Farms' Cheery Nebula named ‘Best Cherry’ at fundraiser
Bloom Fresh says Wandin Valley Farms has been recognized by the Sydney Children's Hospital for growing the “best cherry” in Australia — Bloom Fresh’s Cheery Nebula cherry variety.
The recognition came at the annual Sydney Markets Cherry Auction in November 2023, an event established in 1980 to raise crucial funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, according to a news release from Bloom Fresh, a premium fruit-breeding company specializing in table grapes, cherries and raisins. The annual auction is renowned for selling the “best-tasting cherries” of the season, with proceeds supporting children with cancer in regional areas, the release said.
Wandin Valley Farms was praised for its commitment to excellence in cherry cultivation as well was chosen as the 'best box of the season” in a competition that involved three of Australia’s top cherry growers, Bloom Fresh said.
“[Cheery Nebula] is a beautiful, flavored cherry, bursts in the mouth, big and meaty. I really enjoyed it,” said Kristina Keneally, chief executive of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, who presided over the taste-off to determine the winning cherry variety.
Bloom Fresh said the recognition is particularly significant for the Cheery Nebula variety, marking the first time Wandin Valley Farms has secured the honor.
"It is truly humbling to be recognized by the Sydney Children's Hospital for our Cheery Nebula variety,” Wandin Valley Farms CEO Alison Jones said in the release. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team at Wandin Valley Farms and the superior genetics that the Cheery Cherries breeding program provides. We are delighted to contribute to such a noble cause and support the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation in their vital mission."
“Seeing Wandin receive recognition for their work has been an absolute pleasure,” Alwyn van Jaarsveld, Bloom Fresh international cherry commercial manager, said in the release. “As breeders, we work diligently to provide the best genetics to growers, and to support our licensees so that they can achieve the best quality fruit possible. This achievement is a testament to that, and really, the cherry on top.”
Cheery Nebula is part of Bloom Fresh’s Cheery Cherries program, which enables growers to harvest cherries with fewer chill hours required during the winter. The Cheery Cherries program is also focused on ensuring quality and uniformity, offering hardy varietals that are less vulnerable to damage caused by either hot drought conditions or excessive rainfall, according to the release.
