WENATCHEE, WA - As soon as the weather turns warm, my hand never leaves the cherry bag! To satisfy consumers’ cherry cravings, Stemilt’s 5 River Islands™ cherry brand and premium Rainier cherries are back and better than ever. Available this season in larger sizes and with delectable dessert qualities, Stemilt is helping retailers create memorable eating experiences for shoppers before the California cherry season wraps up in mid-June.
“While the volume of the 2018 California cherry crop was underwhelming for growers and retailers alike, both fruit size and qualities have made for overwhelmingly positive shopper experiences,” said Marketing Director Roger Pepperl. “That will continue in the final weeks of the California season because of two special offerings now available from Stemilt: California-grown Rainier cherries and 5 River Islands brand dark-sweet cherries.”
With harvest currently underway for Stemilt’s Rainier cherries, retailers can look for a premium pack available now through June 9th full of cherries peaking on large sizes with nice color and exceptional flavors, Pepperl noted.
“Carrying our California Rainier cherries in stores the next two weeks will bring incremental sales to the produce department,” continued Pepperl. “Opening shelf space now with these incredible eating fruits will also help in a seamless transition to Washington State’s Rainier cherry crop. It’s a great experience to offer your stores and your shoppers.”
According to a recent press release, this is the second year of availability for 5 River Islands cherries, which come straight from the California Delta, a well-known region of islands and waterways that are all connected by five rivers. For the 5 River Islands brand, Stemilt only packs large-sized and high-quality Lapins, a dark-sweet cherry variety, from the Delta region that are available in limited quantities now through mid-June.
“5 River Islands cherries share the story of the Delta region and how its waterways, lush soils, and California sunshine help us grow big cherries with world famous qualities,” Pepperl explained. “This story resonates with shoppers and helps retailers tie items in their produce department back to the source. Making freshness and quality standout is the way to build impulsive cherry sales, which turns into repeat sales when the consumer enjoys the eating experience at home.”
Selecting only the largest fruit with the most dessert-like qualities for its 5 River Islands brand, Stemilt offers these delicious cherries in clamshells and pouch bags. Stemilt also revealed that high-graphic branded cartons are ideal for merchandizing this specific brand and story at store level and supports stores with digital assets to boost cherry sales.
“The size and qualities of Rainier and 5 River Islands cherries make now a great time to share these special items with your shoppers,” finished Pepperl. “Retailers can earn dollars for their cherry category now, while building memorable experiences for shoppers that keeps cherries in the cart as the summer continues on.”
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