WENATCHEE, WA - The sweetest summer, from sales to consumption, comes with a cherry on top. Thankfully, we are approaching a promising peak in the cherry season. While the market is still in swing, CMI Orchards is forecasting great size and quality fruit.

“Buyers should be looking out for great quality and promotable supply on the way. Summer is in full swing; the seasonal excitement that cherries inspire year over year means our volume is lining up perfectly with summer holidays and traditions,” Joel Hewitt, Vice President of Sales, shared. “With California’s crop ending earlier than anticipated, and our harvest timing slowing from recent cold weather, this season is keeping us guessing all season long! The market hasn’t really settled yet, but cherries are performing very well, and all of Washington is working to keep up with the pace. We’re seeing consistent increases in volumes coming from the field every day, and we’re about to hit our stride as we enter the peak harvest window.”

In fact, as we recently reported, high-demand varieties like Skylar Rae® cherries are already in full swing. As we look at what is to come compared to challenges faced last summer, Joel pointed out that volatility is one of the only things certain about the cherry season, but that is part of the excitement!

“Last year, hiccups like the overlap with the California cherry season and the compression of the crop were definitely obstacles, but we had one of the best eating crops we could ask for and great volume. Each season is dynamic and complex for different reasons, and it’s difficult to compare seasons due to all the variables,” he said. “This year, while timing has been a big factor—the recent cold weather has slowed things down—volume and quality are meeting and exceeding our expectations.”

Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing, agreed with Joel, sharing how CMI is seeing great size, great condition, and fantastic eating fruit across the board.

“Despite unpredictable elements like weather, our experienced growers adeptly manage these variables and turn challenges into opportunities—no matter what Mother Nature throws their way! This is a crucial time of year to maintain momentum and see incremental sales carrying the produce aisle throughout the rest of the year, even after summer has passed,” she advised. “American Dream offers a way for retailers to create those multiple in-store promotional destinations, drum up excitement with the patriotic holidays upcoming, as well as get a boost in incremental sales throughout the rest of the year.”

This is incredibly bolstered by the expansion of cherry choices, she told me, explaining how, for a long while, there were only two kinds of cherries on the shelf—Red and Rainier.

“Now, specialty cherries are gaining traction, with high-flavor options like our Skylar Rae and Strawberry cherries,” Rochelle said, adding that the former had been recently added to their organic options alongside Red and Rainier cherries. “Skylar Rae are eagerly anticipated each season, and quite possibly The Sweetest Cherries You’ll Ever Eat!™, standing out with supreme sweetness and a sublime crunchy texture.”

Another exciting offering, Strawberry cherries, boast a striking appearance with freckled, ruby-red exteriors and creamy white interiors. Their larger size, which Rochelle shared is a result of lighter tree volume, ensures they stand out prominently on store shelves. With a hint of strawberry sweetness, expect a “very berry cherry™” CMI experts promise.

With increasing choices, and therefore promotional opportunities, in this ever dynamic category, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you informed as the season progresses.

MARLBOROUGH, MA - New Jersey and North Carolina are the latest markets being eyed for growth by BJ’s Wholesale Club, which has just announced two new clubs set to open in early 2025. The retailer is introducing its 25^th New Jersey location with a new Hanover Township store, along with its 10^th North Carolina location in Southern Pines.

“We are excited to deliver the unbeatable value our membership offers to even more families in New Jersey and North Carolina,” said Bill Werner, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Development. “As we continue to expand our footprint along the East Coast and beyond, we look forward to helping more families save up to 25 percent off grocery store prices every day.”

Earlier this year, BJ’s announced an ambitious plan to open eight new clubs across the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast, in addition to its expansion into its 21^st state with an opening in Louisville, Kentucky, in early 2025.

As a release detailed, BJ’s Wholesale Club offers a convenient one-stop shopping experience that includes a vast selection of fresh foods and produce, a full-service deli, local items, exclusive offerings, and much more. Members can choose from a variety of convenient shopping options like in-club shopping, curbside pickup, in-club pickup, same-day delivery, and standard delivery from BJs.com.

More information on the retailer’s latest expansion can be found here.

For more of the latest retail news, be on the lookout for that little apple logo.

CALIFORNIA - The Bureau of Reclamation recently announced that South-of-Delta agricultural contractors will be receiving a 10 percent bump to their contracted water supplies. This increases their water supply from 40 percent to 50 percent.

“With the current and forecasted conditions that factor into Central Valley Project allocations, in particular, a greater than expected rate of exports during the month of June, we are pleased to be able to provide an additional increase to south-of-Delta agricultural contractors,” commented California-Great Basin Regional Director Karl Stock.

Although this news was a welcome update to farmers in the Valley, many still do not see it as enough.

For example, Federico Barajas, the Executive Director of the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority, reflected on the meaning of this announcement for our industry.

“This year is a perfect example of the disconnect between available rainfall and snowpack and the ability to operate the Central Valley Project in a way that takes advantage of the water provided by nature in any given year,” Barajas said. “For critical periods this year, exports were reduced due to inflexible operational criteria that failed to fully account for conditions for steelhead and salmonid species, resulting in reduced surface water supply for Water Authority members.”

He also added that there needs to be a better balance in scientifically supported decision-making to adaptively manage California’s water system, reported The Sun.

Representative David Valadao (R–Hanford) also praised the increase but urged the Bureau of Reclamation to make critical changes.

“While I am grateful for this welcomed increase from Reclamation, it’s frustrating that we could have had this allocation back in February to give farmers proper time to plan their operations for the year,” Valadao said. “Reclamation must improve the pace and transparency of their decision-making process moving forward to ensure our farmers are not being held in the dark or gambling about the future of their water supply. I will continue urging transparency in Reclamation’s decision-making and a significant increase in water allocations for South-of-Delta agriculture.”

ANUK will continue to bring you the latest in news affecting ag.

SAN JOSE, CA - ZAG Technical Services is promoting an experienced leader to an integral role, announcing that former Vice President of Operations Eric Regnier has been elevated to the role of President.

“The ever-changing landscape of new technologies and evolving business needs keeps our work engaging and challenging,” shared Regnier. “But ultimately, it is the remarkable people at ZAG and our valued clients who make this work truly meaningful and rewarding. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”

This strategic move underscores ZAG's commitment to enhancing its executive team in support of the agriculture industry, reinforcing its position as a leader in providing managed IT, cybersecurity, and data solutions tailored specifically for agribusiness, the company stated in a press release.

Regnier brings a wealth of experience to this new role, having formerly served as Vice President of Operations and a key member of ZAG’s leadership team. He has a master’s degree in technology policy and computer science and is also a certified CISSP, CCSP, and PMP, reflecting his deep expertise in cybersecurity and project management.

As the release went on to note, Eric has been instrumental in implementing security solutions for various organizations, making him exceptionally suited to lead ZAG’s initiatives in managed IT, cybersecurity, and data analytics for the agriculture sector.

“Eric’s outstanding vision and skills make him exceptionally ready for this role where he will manage all of ZAG’s delivery resources across our client base,” shared Greg Gatzke, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ZAG. “Please join me in supporting Eric in this new role as he takes ZAG to new levels in our mission of ‘enabling our client’s success.’”

Promoting Regnier is a key step in ZAG’s dedication to providing world-class expertise to its agribusiness partners, improving its business strategies, and showing its commitment to the agriculture industry.

Congrats to Eric Regnier on this new role!