FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2008
www.stemilt.com
Contact:
Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director
Stemilt’s Artisan Organics cherry program offers retailers a diverse merchandising mix
WENATCHEE, Washington — The Northwest’s difficult spring weather and resulting cherry crop reduction didn’t put a damper on Stemilt Growers’ Artisan Organics cherry program. According to marketing director Roger Pepperl, Stemilt’s organic cherry production is on par with last year’s volume with excellent fruit size, firmness and dessert-like flavors.
“Fortunately, even with some of the organic cherry crop reduced because of the spring frost, we will have a similar organic crop size this year due to more acreage becoming organic certified,” Pepperl said.
The organic cherry market is growing dramatically after three years of running undersupplied. Demand for organics is expected to rise by 25 percent or more annually over the next several years. To keep up with consumer demand, Stemilt will nearly double its crop of organics by 2009, Pepperl said.
Stemilt’s organic cherries are grown for size and flavor, two key elements that make for a great cherry program. With production spread across central Washington—in area’s such as the Columbia Basin, Stemilt Hill and Lake Chelan—Stemilt produces a diverse mix of organic cherry varieties. Currently, they supply organic Chelans, Bing, Skeena, Sweetheart, Rainier and Staccato.
Along with a good volume of high quality organic cherries, Stemilt’s Artisan Organics cherry program provides retailers with a variety of packaging options and consumer-friendly promotions.
This year, Stemilt introduced FloWrap into its already diverse packaging line-up for organic cherries. Both organic rainier and organic dark sweet cherries are being packed into 1lb. punnets (clamshells without a lid) and sealed with perforated film, also known as FloWrap.
According to Pepperl, the perforated film allows cherries to breathe, which helps control dehydration and maximize stem quality.
“The FloWrap packaging is great for merchandising organic cherries, which typically remain on the shelves a bit longer than conventional cherries,” Pepperl said. “The package serves to maximize product freshness and is a functional item for today’s busy shoppers.”
Since the perforated film is sealed, the FloWrap packaging may also help ease consumer’s growing concern over food safety, Pepperl said.
Other Artisan Organics cherry packages include 1.5lb slider bags and 1lb. clamshells for dark sweet varieties and 1.25lb. slider bags and 1lb. clamshells for the rainier variety.
During the 2007 cherry season, Stemilt tested POS cards at the retail level that inform consumers about where their fruit was grown. This year, several retailers are lined up to use the 11 X 7 cards that feature Stemilt organic cherry growers in their orchards.
“These merchandising tools not only provide consumers with information on where their cherries came from but also focus on the different natural farming techniques each grower practices,” said Pepperl. “It’s a great way for retailers to highlight the sustainable efforts that go into producing Stemilt’s Artisan Organic cherries.”