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Fresh Cherry Production for Chukar Cherries

Chukar Cherries, Washington State's8217;s year round's8217; cherry company, has recently completed fresh cherry harvest and processing for the 2006 season. The summer harvest provided Chukar Cherries with over 200,000 pounds of fresh Bing and Rainier cherries. Chukar has a variety of uses for the fruit including chocolate-covered cherries, naturally dried fruit & nut energy mixes, and pure fruit preserves and toppings. It is essential that enough cherries are processed to meet demand for the upcoming year.



Chukar Cherries has set quality standards for all fresh processing cherries. The fruit must be of good quality and ample size, firm, above 22 degrees brix (a measurement of sugar), and free of splits and mildew. Some years the required quality is easy to come by and other years like this year, due to hot weather, high humidity, or hard rains, finding quality fruit is a major challenge.



Chukar Cherries hires extra part-time seasonal workers during the processing season and work begins at sun rise to avoid hot afternoon temperatures. An automatic cherry processor carries the delicate cherries down the line sorting them by size and removing pits. Even with the automatic sizer and processor, workers continue to sort through the cherries by hand, picking out any substandard cherries. 's8220;We want to be sure only quality cherries are preserved so we are very vigilant in sorting's8221; said Kathleen Young, Chukar's8217;s Production Manager. Carefully sorted, the cherries are then dried slowly to retain their natural sugars and flavor.



This year's8217;s late Cherry harvest made it challenging to locate quality processing cherries from growers. The intense June rain and intense July heat and humidity softened the fruit. It was difficult for growers to retain workers; between the high temperatures and immigration controversy, the number of available pickers was extremely low and a major stress for growers this year.



Now that fresh cherry harvest is over, the Chukar Team can get to work developing new products for the Holiday 's8216;06 and Spring 's8217;07 Collections. Chukar's8217;s new products and mail order catalog launch early October. If you would like to receive Chukar's8217;s Holiday Catalog, go online at www.chukar.com or call 800.624.9544.



Located in the Pacific Northwest, Chukar Cherries is a family-owned and operated specialty food manufacturer of pure fruit jams, savory sauces, dried fruit and nut energy snacks, naturally dried and chocolate-covered cherries, berries, and roasted nuts; The Best of Nature, The Best of Chocolate®. Chukar creates delicious gifts that reflect the agricultural bounty and natural flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Chukar Cherries has three retail locations in Washington State; Pike Place Market; Seattle, Prosser Headquarters; Prosser, Tri City Airport Gift Shop; Pasco. 100% Natural and certified kosher by KOF-K. For quality service, visit www.chukar.com or call 1.800.624.9544 and ask to speak with a Customer Service Representative.

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