Superfresh Growers® Announces Plan to Expand Cherry Production by 30 Percent; Robert Kershaw and Conner O’Malley Comment

YAKIMA, WA – “Everyone wants cherries fresh off the tree.” The words of Robert Kershaw, Chief Executive Officer of Superfresh Growers®, perfectly sum up consumers’ feelings about the cherry category. Lucky for both shoppers and retailers, the grower has announced that it will expand its sweet cherry production by 30 percent this summer thanks to the addition of a cutting-edge new packing line.

“Freshness and speed to consumers is the key to success in the cherry category,” said Kershaw. “It is magical when an investment improves the experience of all stakeholders in the supply chain. Freshness is the intersection that growers, retailers, and consumers all want.”

According to a press release, Superfresh Growers plans to have the packing line integrated and running well ahead of the arrival of the 2023 Pacific Northwest cherry crop, which is typically in late May. The state-of-the-art optical sorter line will handle dark sweet and Rainier cherries.

During the 2022 season, Superfresh Growers was among the largest and latest U.S. cherry growers and packers, the release noted. The supplier’s last shipments from high-altitude orchards extended beyond the Labor Day holiday into September.