WENATCHEE, WA – Stemilt Growers is appealing to consumer sensibilities with a new and exclusive brand of high quality cherries which will be “floating” its way to produce aisles from the rich, storied Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region of California. In late May, the 5 River Islands™ cherries will debut on store shelves.

“Cherries are an impulse purchase, and merchandising the fruit in unique ways is key to category success,” said Roger Pepperl, Stemilt Marketing Director, according to a press release. “Shoppers are seeking stories about where their food is grown, and the Delta region is primed to feed that desire. It’s a beautiful locale with rich soils and the right climate for producing dessert tasting cherries.”

5 River Islands cherries are hand-picked at perfection in the famous Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region, and provide retailers with a unique story to share with shoppers in order to highlight the special locale these premium cherries come from.

A region rich with nutrient packed soils, clean waters, and warm California sunshine, the Delta is composed of 1,100 square miles of sloughs and islands and is the junction point of the state’s two main rivers, the Sacramento and the San Joaquin, and three smaller rivers, Mokelumne, Cosumnes, and Calaveras Rivers. This region acts as the state’s main water source and is the end point for the Sierra Nevada snowmelt. The Delta has long been considered an agricultural gem.

According to the release, consumer awareness and desire for understanding and knowing where their food comes from has increased significantly over the past decade. In fact, Stemilt stated that according to a global survey conducted by Trace One, 91 percent of consumers say it's important to them to know where their food comes from, but 62 percent say they are not provided enough information about what’s in their food and its origins.

“Brands like 5 River Islands not only feed shoppers what they want in terms of a high-quality product, but they also help retailers build trust with their shoppers. This brand delivers quality fruit consistently and a memorable story so that shoppers have a great eating experience and return to your store for more cherries,” said Pepperl.

5 River Islands cherries are available for a short time and in limited volumes for 2017, although Stemilt anticipates increased availability in future years as more fruit comes into production in this locale. The primary variety of 5 River Islands cherries is Lapin, which grows exceptionally well in the Delta region. Stemilt anticipates packing large sizes and sweet, dessert qualities under this brand from late-May to mid-June. 5 River Islands cherries will be available in clamshells, pouch bags, and high-graphic euro-boxes.

“The high quality fruit featured in every 5 River Islands pack is an ideal way to wrap up the California cherry season,” concluded Pepperl. “Large sizes, great firmness, and high sugars–5 Rivers Islands are the cherries you want to feature in early June in order to attract excited cherry shoppers. This brand is a great segue to Stemilt’s cherry season in Washington.”

As cherry season continues and produce growers continue to innovate, AndNowUKnow will report.

Stemilt Growers