Stemilt Growers Inc., headquartered in Wenatchee, WA, is moving into the 2012 Northwest cherry season on solid ground. “The deal is starting early and finishing late,” Director of Marketing Roger Pepperl told The Produce News on May 15. “This makes the marketing of a large crop fairly easy as it makes a bigger window.”

According to Mr. Pepperl, the Pacific Northwest is expected to market approximately 21 million boxes of cherries during 2012. Stemilt expects to move 3.2 million boxes into the pipeline by the end of the season.

A longstanding collaboration between Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA, and Disney continues with the 2012 Northwest cherry crop, according to Mac Riggan, Chelan’s vice president of marketing.

Citing increased production by growers on both the front end and later in the season, The Oppenheimer Group is anticipating nearly doubling its cherry volume from the Pacific Northwest.

Jensen Farms, the Holly, CO, firm that was at the center of the Listeria outbreak tied to cantaloupes last year, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection May 25. The Listeria contamination and outbreak, which was discovered last September and subsequently linked to Jensen Farms, resulted in at least 32 deaths and a reported 146 illnesses in 28 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

As fuel prices continue to escalate with no end in sight, retailers of fresh produce are increasingly turning toward procurement of locally grown commodities to minimize financial impacts to consumers. Steve Carlton, produce coordinator for Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, spoke with The Produce News on May 18 and provided his insights.

Mild weather and great pollination will translate to an exceptional cherry crop for L&M Cos. located in Union Gap, WA. “Cherries are growing and have enjoyed a very mild spring,” Sales Manager John Long told The Produce News May 17. “Conditions have been great. “[There is] a very good crop load on the tree. Not too heavy, so we should get good size. Quality should be excellent since we had great pollination that was quick which should lead to even maturity.”