Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/506700
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER MAY 15, 2015 29 lines, he doesn't think the technology neces- sarily translates into more offline or cull fruit. "There will be challenges in some years, depending on the crop size and fruit qual- ity," Ramsey said. "But for the most part, if 10 to 15 percent is usually sorted out for size and defects, that number won't change significantly." Naturipe label In addition to the new optical sorter, fresh cherries this year will be packed under a nationally known consumer label in select test markets. A new business venture that began on the cooperative's processed side with major berry supplier and marketer Naturipe has created opportunity on the fresh side. Oregon Cherry Growers will be drying strawberries and other fruit of Naturipe, one of the largest North American suppliers of strawberries, blueber- ries, raspberries, and blackberries. "We'll have a whole collection of items in collaboration with Naturipe, including mar- keting some fresh cherries under their label," Ramsey said. Fruit dried by the cooperative will be sold under the Naturipe label in whole- sale and retail markets. "While Naturipe has been very much a fresh market company, they are also excited about this new venture because it gives them a home for their cull strawberries and other fruit," he said. "Naturipe, with its year-round offering of fruit, has excellent consumer program and cus- tomer recognition of its brand. We'll be testing to see if the strength of the Naturipe name can return a higher value to our growers." He believes the venture will help accelerate the cooperative's development of value-added products and marketing. Processed growth On the processed side, four facilities in The Dalles and Salem process cherries into the fol- lowing: maraschino-style, individually quick frozen (IQF), purees, glacé, and as infused and dried ingredients for foods like ice cream, nutrition bars, and baked goods. "Our ingredient line is a big piece of our business," said Ramsey, who added that they supply cherry ingredients for about 80 per- cent of the ice cream brands produced in the United States. They produce the cherries for Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. At the cooperative's Riverside plant in The Dalles, about 70 percent of the volume of cherries processed is made for ice cream ingredients, and the remaining volume is processed as dried ingredients. Royal Harvest is the cooperative's label for its natural line of products that are sweetened TJ MULLINAX/GOOD FRUIT GROWER Oregon Cherry Growers workers sort brined and infused cherries one last time before packaging. These ingredient cherries will be used in ice cream. TJ MULLINAX/GOOD FRUIT GROWER Some products produced by Oregon Cherry Growers. Royal Harvest is the cooperative's label for maraschino cherries made with natural VZHHWHQHUV½DYRUVDQGFRORUDQWV