Stemilt’s new 5 River Islands cherry brands available

Wentachee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers has introduced the 5 River Islands brand of California cherries.

The brand, expected to be on retail shelves by late May, highlights cherries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta growing region.

The new brand provides retailers with a unique story to share with shoppers, according to the release. The Delta growing region is at the junction of the Sacramento and the San Joaquin rivers and the smaller Mokelumne, Cosumnes, and Calaveras rivers.

“Cherries are an impulse purchase and merchandising the fruit in unique ways is key to category success,” Roger Pepperl, marketing director for Stemilt, said in the release.

“Shoppers are seeking stories about where their food is grown, and the Delta region is primed to feed that desire.”

5 River Islands brand cherries are available in limited volumes for 2017, according to the release, with increased production projected.

The main variety marketed under the brand is lapin. Available in clamshells, pouch bags and high-graphic euro boxes, the brand will be packed from late May to mid-June, according to the release.

“The high-quality fruit featured in every 5 River Islands pack is an ideal way to wrap up the California cherry season,” Pepperl said in the release.