Stemilt cold chain optimizes flavor and quality, marketer says
Washington cherry season is in full swing, and a robust cold chain is helping Stemilt Growers deliver fruit with consistent flavor, size, and quality the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer says.
“Stemilt is a leader in cherries because we provide consistent quality to keep people shopping for them all season long,” Brianna Shales, director of marketing, said in a news release. “Size, flavor, and firmness are very important in a high-quality cherry, and we’re obsessive about picking cherries at the optimal times. Cherries don’t get sweeter after picking, so it’s important to pick fruit when it’s ready, even if that means multiple picks to get the best sizes and flavors.”
Stemilt uses a cold chain from the orchard to the packing line to maximize freshness for the retailer, the release said. This process helps put the shelf life back into the hands of retailers and consumers.
“We have one of the largest networks of on-farm mobile hydrocoolers that allow us to bring the internal temperature of cherries way down quickly after harvest,” Shales said. “First, they’re picked from the tree, placed in bins, and covered by an icy cold cloth. Then, we take the bins through the mobile hydrocoolers at or very near the farm. Lastly, we transfer cherries in refrigerated trucks to the packing line where in-line hydrocooling helps us pack them fresh.”
Related: Stemilt Growers' newly branded Kyle’s Pick cherries now available
Starting the cold chain early and doing it right means retailers have fresh cherries to sell that will help improve the cherry-eating experience, she said. Flavorful and top-quality cherries help drive repeat purchases, she said.
“We’re very particular about the varieties we grow and focus on selecting the best sites for growing special varieties like Rainier, Skylar Rae, Kyle’s Pick, and A Half Mile Closer to the Moon cherries,” Shales said.
Rainier, Skylar Rae and Kyle’s Pick cherries will all be available in July, and A Half Mile Closer to the Moon cherries in August, according to the release. Retailers can use Stemilt’s branding and merchandising to help set fruit apart and offer shoppers quality-consistent cherries all season long. Adding displays to the category will help draw people to cherries this summer, Shales said.
“Packaging is a great tool to use to distinguish the different varieties,” Shales said. “Bags are the primary packaging vehicles for cherries, and clamshells or top seal are other great options for organics and specialty items. With an increase in cherry volume this year, there’s traction with [3-pound] clamshells and top seal to increase purchase sizes of dark-sweet cherries.”
With more volume in the industry this year, there are more opportunities for retailers with cherries, she said. A combination of best harvest practices, optimal locations and a multistep cold chain helps Stemilt produce quality cherries for the entirety of the season, according to the release.
“Stemilt’s attention to detail and mission to delight consumers with fruit that meets World Famous standards is what helps us maintain leadership in cherries,” Shales said. “We want to see retailers have success this season with great-tasting cherries with sweet, crisp flavors that keep shoppers coming back for more.”
