WENATCHEE, Wash. – Stemilt has started packing its premium high-altitude cherries in a new Half Mile Closer to the Moon pouch bag. The cherries for this bag come from 4th generation cherry grower Kyle Mathison’s unique Amigos Orchards, which is located between 2,800 and 3,200 feet above sea level – literally a half mile closer to the moon.
This is the second year Stemilt has packed “Moon cherries” but the first in pouch bags. The new Moon bag features midnight blue skies dotted with stars and a large full moon to designate the unique locale in which these cherries are grown. It has a QR code on it to share more behind where and how the special cherries are grown with consumers. It also carries the Kyle’s Pick program seal. Kyle’s Pick is Stemilt’s program for premium cherries grown primarily on Stemilt Hill and the Amigos. The Half Mile Closer to the Moon bag is the second bag in the Kyle’s Pick series, and will be used for cherries that pack now through the end of the season.
“The idea behind the Moon cherry bag is to share Kyle’s passion for cherries and the unique Amigos orchard locale. The size, flavors, and quality of these late-season cherries will leave a lasting impression on shoppers, and we wanted the bag these cherries come in to emulate that. Consumers will rave about Half Mile Closer to the Moon cherries,” said Roger Pepperl, Stemilt marketing director.
Named after the Spanish word for friends, the Amigos orchards overlook the Columbia River and town of Wenatchee, WA, not too far from the family’s original homestead on Stemilt Hill. In the cherry world, any orchard planted above 1,800 feet is considered high-elevation. Having already surpassed that height, Mathison began planting cherries at even higher elevations in 2002 in order to stretch the availability of Stemilt cherries.
“My dream is to be able to provide consumers with fresh World Famous Stemilt cherries as long as possible,” said Mathison. “Amigos not only extends the availability of cherries well into August, but it sits on the best growing ground in the world. The mild climate stays cool during the hot summer while the volcanic soils fuels trees and help produce large, perfect-tasting cherries.”
Typically, harvest at Amigos lasts into late August and even September, however, this year is an anomaly. Across Washington State, fruit is harvesting earlier than normal due to an early bloom and warm summer temperatures. As a result, Stemilt will wrap up cherry harvest in mid-August this year.
The varieties that Mathison grows at Amigos also make Moon cherries stand out. He adoringly calls Sweetheart, Skeena, and Staccato® his “three loves” in the cherry world because of their ability to consistently grow into large-sized, firm, and super-sweet fruits.
“The cherries grown at Amigos are second-to-none,” said Pepperl. “The location, climate, varieties, and Kyle’s passion and expertise all combine to deliver a true dessert eating experience. We’re excited to deliver consumers with this final and memorable taste of Stemilt cherries in our new Half Mile Closer to the Moon packaging. It’s an exciting way to finish off another cherry season.”
About Stemilt
Stemilt Growers is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is a leading shipper of sweet cherries and organic tree fruits. Stemilt has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program. For more information about Stemilt, visit www.stemilt.com and follow Stemilt on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.
Source: Stemilt Growers