<p>Chelan Fresh Marketing is kicking off its much-anticipated cherry season for 2014 with <B>increased volume</b> on its large-cherry variety Orondo Ruby. Early shipments will start on <B>June 10</b> and the season is expected to run through mid-August. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> <img style="float:left; width:150px" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/cherry1.jpg" alt="cropped_image_050714" />Of the Orondo Ruby, Mac Riggan, Marketing Director, said, “We are looking to expand our numbers of customers for this large cherry. It will start shipping <B>June 20 – 23</b>, and the window is basically the last two weeks of June and into early July.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <img style="width:500px" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/or_image_02_large.png" alt="cropped_image_050714" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Introduced in 2012, the Orondo Ruby presents consumers with an intriguing combination of <B>high sugar</b> and <B>high acid</b>. The contrast between full-colored skin and white flesh is also appealing, and retailers like the fact that the cherry ships well, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The Northwest cherry crop is expected to hit between <B>20 and 21 million boxes</b>, according to Northwest Cherries in Yakima, WA. Last year’s rain significantly cut into the Northwest’s cherry volume, prompting Chelan Fresh to keep 12 helicopters on stand-by to deal with rain events. The company says its well-prepared to deal with rain if it happens.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <img style="float:left" class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/cupcherries_thumb.png" alt="cropped_image_050714" />In addition, Chelan Fresh is promoting its unique packaging options for cherries, including its innovative <B>Cup O Cherries</b>. Stemless fruit is packaged in 16-ounce cups that hold approximately two dozen cherries, and the containers' reservoired lids are designed to hold the cherry pits.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“It was very well-received last year, and we're also offering our 1-pound clamshell of super large cherries,” said Riggan. The clams actually hold 15 ounces of 9.5-row cherries. “It's a <B>great niche deal</b> for retailers, with 16 clams to a master case,” he added.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/shipper.jpg" alt="cropped_image_050714" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Pictured above is the company's two-Euro cherry box display cases ready for retail this June. Also, special promotions for the company’s cherries include a Disney tie-in on 2-pound poly bags and 1-pound clams. The packages feature temporary tattoos for kids.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We’re very excited about the crop,” noted Riggan. “This year it’s spread out well, not compressed. And barring any weather events, it’s lining up to be one of the <B>best cherry crops</b> in years.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">We look forward to seeing this year’s cherry crop!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://chelanfreshcherries.com" target="_new"> Chelan Fresh </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
