Stemilt Growers says it will offer real-time updates of its current organic cherry crop as well as a look ahead to its pear and apple crops at the upcoming Organic Produce Summit.
The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company says it offers organic skeena cherries grown in high-elevation orchards that allow for good volumes this month.
“We expect cherries will be a hot topic at this year’s summit as we’re currently in the heart of harvest,” says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt. “Retailers can reap the benefits of Stemilt’s extended organic cherry season, which lasts all July, to offer freshly harvested organic cherries to consumers for as long as possible. We’ve strategically planted early-season varieties in optimal locations and late-season varieties on Stemilt Hill, where growing regions range from 2,600 feet to over 3,400 feet in elevation above sea level to lengthen our season.”
Stemilt shared that a study completed by category partners; the company, which surveyed 2,001 cherry shoppers, revealed that 33% of consumers aged 44 and younger rated organics as an important characteristic when purchasing cherries. That survey also showed that approximately 55% of natural and specialty store shoppers placed more importance on cherries, according to Stemilt.
“Demand for organic cherries is strong and will continue providing retail opportunity to sell them at a higher price point,” Shales says. “We’ll be picking and packing cherries harvested at Stemilt Hill in Wenatchee, Wash., throughout July.”
The company will also highlight its compost program, which it says has helped fuel its high-flavor fruit for the past 20 years.
“Kyle Mathison, owner of Stemilt and a fourth-generation cherry grower, is a master of growing cherries with crisp texture and sweet flavor through his World Famous compost recipe that he created two decades ago,” Shales says. “We look forward to sharing a 30-second celebratory video during our sponsored keynote session with OPS attendees.”
Stemilt says it also plans to showcase its Lil Snappers kid-sized fruit, sustainable packaging for apples and pears, and top-seal clamshell packs of organic cherries at its booth, No. 505.
“OPS is the only event that exclusively brings organic producers and buyers of the fresh produce industry together, and we look forward to it every year,” Shales says. “We can’t wait to talk all about cherries and the upcoming opportunities for the 2025-2026 organic apple and pear crops.”
