Cherries tend to have a higher price point than many other popular fruits, so take advantage of their rising popularity to boost your bottom line. Make the most of cherry season so shoppers can easily find them. Give cherries a place near the front of the department when supplies are at their peak.
Shipping
Dark-sweet cherries 18-lb. cartons, loose (California) 20-lb. cartons, loose (Northwest) 24-lb. euro cartons, 12 2-lb. bags 16-lb. euro cartons, 8 2-lb. clamshells 16-lb. euro cartons, 4 4-lb. clamshells 16-lb. euro cartons, 16 1-lb. clamshells (Northwest) 18-lb. cartons, 8 2.25-lb. bags (Northwest) 18-lb. cartons, 12 1.5-lb. bags (Northwest) 16-lb. cartons, 8 2-lb. bags (California) RPC 3417, 6411, 6413 Rainier cherries 18-lb. cartons, loose (Northwest) 16-lb. cartons, 16 1-lb. clamshells 16-lb. cartons, 8 2-lb. clamshells (Northwest) 15-lb. euro cartons, 12 1.25-lb. bags (Northwest) Chilean cherries 11-lb. cartons Foodservice packs 4-, 5- and 6-lb. boxes 12-, 18- and 20-lb. row-sized boxes
Grades
United States U.S. grades U.S. No. 1 U.S. Commercial Washington grades Washington No. 1 (more stringent than U.S. grades)
Handling
Temperature: 32 F, 0 C Relative humidity: 90-95% Mist: no Typical shelf life: 10 to 14 days Odor-sensitive. Sweet cherries may pick up off-flavors from shipping or storage with commodities that have strong odors. Modified atmosphere poly liners should be slit when product is received to eliminate gas buildup and off-flavors. Open the lids of cherry boxes stored in the cooler; good air circulation will slow spoilage. Don’t break cherry stems. Cherries with stems have a greater shelf life than those without. It is normal for rainier cherries to have some skin discoloration, slight scuffing or brown spotting, and it often indicates high sugar content. Cherries that are mahogany or reddish brown are considered to be the most flavorful.
1 lb. = about 45 cherries with pits 1 lb. (80 cherries) = about 1½ to 2 cups pitted and sliced 1 lb. = 1½ cups of juice
