Volume expected to hit June 16
Near-perfect cherry crop for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers
“The season is progressing really nicely,” Marboe said. “Up to now the growing conditions have been just about perfect. Volume should start to pick up around June 16, and it should stay strong until we see our second peak weeks of July 14-24 – if things stay the way they are now.”
Weather depending, good-sized fruit and a large crop lie ahead, and Marboe said field reports indicate numbers could be well ahead of the Northwest's 2012 big crop.
In addition to its multiple varieties of dark reds and the favourite Bing, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers also offers good volume of the sweet, tender light-blush Rainier.
“Our Rainier volume has gotten better every year,” Marboe said. “We are up substantially this year and see that increase continuing each season. We should see shipments start in late June and go through late July.”
Keeping pace with both technology and consumer trends, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers has installed a Unitec 40-lane optical packing line that runs cherries faster and more accurately.
“This is a great addition to our existing packing technology,” he said.
The new Cherry_Vision optical sorting line from Unitec will increase daily volume of both dark sweet and Rainier cherries from Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA.
Marboe said the new line promises to increase daily volume of both Rainiers and dark sweets while it reduces reduce labour, providing improved consistency and quality in the finished package.
Complementing the new cherry line technology is new packaging for 2014, with a newly designed “Kissed by the Sun” pouch bag for Rainiers. Back by popular demand is the CherrysnaQ pouch bags, which feature the tagline, “Eat and Play the Healthy Way.” Marboe said the convenient sizes and portability of the pouches have met with good consumer response, and retail demand is increasing for the value-added packaging.
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers works with its retail partners on special promotions, and Marboe said 2014's supply and quality could make this year's crop one of the best in recent years.
For more information:
Scott Marboe
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers
Tel: +1 509-888-5120
Email: [email protected]
