Thanks to a new Unitec sorting machine, the company expects an even stronger season at the retail level. 

Fruit marketer and distributor Oppy is upbeat about what looks to be an excellent season for one of its grower partners, Oregon-based cherry company Orchard View.

Orchard View's cherry harvest will start in the first week of June, and the group now has one of the world's largest Unitec optical sorting lines, equipped to separate cherries by color and size while culling out quality issues.

"The new sorter’s 48-line capacity will enable Orchard View to efficiently heighten the consistency of the packs," said Oppy's executive category director for Northwesth cherries, David Nelley.

"Orchard View already enjoys a reputation for excellent quality. This new equipment will make their excellent offerings even stronger and eye-catching at retail.

"Not only has the crop continued to recover form catastrophic frost in October 2014, more acreage is available and Orchard View has made some important operational upgrades in the packhouse that will set them apart."

Nelly said growth was expected in this campaign for Orchard View, which carefully selects selected varieties, from Bing to Rainier to Sweetheart, east of the Columbia Gorge, where conditions are more sheltered and dry.

“We grow the varieties on the best-suited elevations on our orchards,” said Orchard View president Brenda Thomas.

"We’ve chosen them in order to extend the season as long as possible so retailers can make the most out of cherry season and consumers can enjoy our quality into August."

Every season, Oppy staff relocates to Orchard View to offer on-site service to customers, and support the grower’s “Pick, Pack, Ship” goal of shipping every cherry within a day of being picked.

As well, Orchard View is entering the 2016 season with a refreshed branding approach centered around the idea of “Pick Your Moments.”

“The Pick Your Moments theme encourages our customers and cherry lovers everywhere to enjoy what Orchard View has to offer—the best and sweetest cherries available at any moment of the season,” said Oppy executive director of marketing James Milne.

"The high quality, varietal range and strategic harvest timing at Orchard View make it possible for retailers to ‘seize the moment’ and offer excellent cherries to their customers while enjoying the benefits to their bottom line.

"Domestic cherries are in the market for a brief and wonderful time, associated with summer days and fun ‘moments’ spent with family and friends."

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