Northwest Cherries

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Westlake Weekly Update 5.6.20 

Featured Item: The Sweetest Days of Summer

Just as California cherry season ends, the baton is passed to the Northwest.  Cherries are truly one of those fruits that you have to enjoy in season.  Thankfully, states like Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana extend the cherry season into summer.  Small changes in the microclimates in these areas allow growers to harvest at different times.  Timed right, we can enjoy the sweet stone fruit all summer long!  With more than 400 miles of growing regions from Washington to Montana, it allows for multiple peaks in the season.

There are more than 2,500 cherry growers in the Northwest, all working together to harvest the fleeting fruit.  We are well aware that cherry season is limited, but their brief life span is even evident in their beginnings on the tree.  Cherry trees have the shortest flower time to harvest of any other fruit tree.  It takes a mere 65-75 days from the bright pink or white blossoms we love to grow, ripen, and be picked.  

If you’ve ever traveled North in the summer, you’ve probably been surprised at the almost 10’oclock sunset! Just as we thrive in the longer warmer days, followed by cooler nights to rest in, cherry trees flourish in this type of climate as well! Cherries develop their sweet flavor or sugar, the longer they hang on the tree.  The sweet stone fruits of the Northwest are known for their high sugar levels, a direct result of longer warmer days and hang times.   You want to know if the cherries you’re buying are sweet?  Tasting them is best, but if you’re too embarrassed to ask the produce clerk for a taste, check out the richness of its color.  The darker the cherry, the sweeter it is, with the exception of the Rainier.  

Even though the Northwest has done remarkable things to extend the cherry season, it is still a summer fruit.  Grab the deep mahogany skinned sweet cherries, or the bright and lively yellow and pink Rainier cherries, while the season lasts!

CHERRIES: 

Another member of the drupe family, cherries are in full swing!  The California cherry crop is moving steadily.  Sadly, the rain last week damaged some of the bing cherry crops. Our growers in California will continue shipping cherries through next week and then begin tailing off.  We expect the Pacific Northwest crop will get underway around June 6th. The transition from the California crop to the Northwest crop should be smooth and make for a strong market.

CITRUS: 

No new updates

TROPICALS: 

Mangoes will continue to be limited due to the transitioning of growing regions. Call for daily updates, 

Pineapples are quickly becoming limited. Westlake can still offer pineapples from Costa Rica and Veracruz. Please give us a ring to check availability as the situation changes daily. 

BERRIES: 

This week strawberries remain consistent overall.  Supply is slightly exceeding demand at this time.   The weather in the Watsonville and Salinas region is a lot cooler than Santa Maria and Oxnard, but we still have a supply available out of Oxnard and Santa Maria.

Santa Maria is strong and continues to supply the majority of the strawberries on the West Coast.  Please call us for daily pricing and availability.  Oxnard is just starting to wind down in supply. 

Westlake has great deals on organic strawberries and blueberries out of Mexico and California.  

Deal pricing on 12/6 oz blackberries from Mexico. 

Conventional raspberries are currently limited but call us for any berry needs!

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