Growing premium fresh cherries since 1918
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Olmstead Orchards spent many years selling their fruit through a local co-op. During these years, our cherries have been purchased by numerous wholesale buyers throughout the world, including many large chains and specialty stores such as Albertson's, Food Emporium, Kroger's, Super Value, Costco, HEB, Publix, Safeway, Zabar's, and more. We have built our excellent reputation in the industry by growing premium quality fruit and working closely with each customer to provide the exact product they want.
This 2006 season was our first away from the co-op and has made us more knowledgeable in the general business practices of marketing and sales of fresh cherries. We continue to learn and are looking to establish solid business relationships with cherry buyers throughout the world. We have always graciously opened up our farm to buyers from many states in the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, and more, and we will continue to do so. Meeting our buyers in person, and letting them meet our family and experience our operation first-hand, is an integral part of building a solid business relationship. We look forward to working with you!
FRESH CHERRIES
Olmstead Orchards spent many years selling their fruit through a local co-op. Through those have experience packaging Bing and Rainier cherries in baggies, clamshells, gift boxes, 15-lb boxes, 20-lb boxes, and more. Our philosophy is to never say never when a new packaging or processing idea is introduced with enough time to plan. In addition, our fruit has been sold and shipped internationally, making us familiar with the fumigation requirements for some foreign shipments. If you are interested in wholesale purchases of Olmstead Orchards' cherries or other fruit, please contact Don Olmstead or Donnie Olmstead via Email, or call us direct at 509.882.1946.
FROZEN (IQF) CHERRIES
We picked several tons of super sweet, ripe Rainier cherries in both 2006 and 2007. We allowed these cherries to remain on the trees well past the normal harvest time to ensure high sugar content. The cherries were then destemmed, pitted, IQF'd (individually quick frozen), and packed in 40-lb boxes. The quality of our cherries far exceeds the regular frozen dark cherries found in the local markets. This mix usually contains several dark cherry varieties and the sugar content and quality of the cherries is not consistent. Rainiers, our light-colored varietal, are also not readily available through other wholesalers.
Our current inventory of IQF cherries is approximately 3,500 pounds of 2007 Rainiers and 5,000 pounds of 2006 Rainiers. They are stored in a large warehouse that has the facilities to accommodate large commercial carriers. We are currently looking for a market for our IQF Rainier cherries and will freeze more Rainiers and Bings during the 2009 harvest if there is demand. Frozen cherries are a wonderful way to to have access to this seasonal fruit in the "off season." They can be eaten frozen, dried, used in baking or cooking, in ice cream, to make jam, for juice, and more.
Please contact Carrie Olmstead Hay if you are interested in bulk wholesale purchases of IQF Rainier or Bing cherries. At this time we do not sell small quantities to consumers because the packaging and shipping is very cost prohibitive.
SALES CONTACTS
Fresh Market Sales
Don Olmstead, Jr.
509.830.1950
Donnie Olmstead
509.830.0620
Frozen (IQF) Sales
Carrie Olmstead Hay
509.948.2138
© 2003-2008 Olmstead Orchards, Inc. 360 Frazer Road Grandview, Washington 98930
Last updated Tuesday June 23, 2009 Website problems: webmaster@olmsteadorchards.com
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