Cherry Dynamics

CHERRY ORCHARD

SCENIC ORCHARDS
The outlook for the Starr Ranch Growers cherry crop is an estimated 2 million cartons. Our growing regions in Washington and Oregon provide the ideal mix of warm sunny days, cool crisp nights and nurtrient-rich soil.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

CHERRY BLOSSOMS
The bees are busy pollinating the cherry blossoms that are not only gorgeous, but also produce one of the healthiest, tasty treats on this planet. Within sixty days, this bite-size fruit is available from June thru August.

SWEET CHERRIES

SWEET RED CHERRIES
There are several red varieties available throughout the growing season. The CHELAN variety is the early ripening variety that resembles the popular deep red BING cherry. The TIETON is exceptionally larger in size. Then the BING variety becomes available at local fruit stands or supermarkets.

RAINIERS ON BRANCH

RAINIER CHERRIES
The RAINIER cherry has a unique appearance among the sweet varieties. Delicately flavored with extraordinary sugar levels, the flesh is pure yellow, very firm and finely textured. A unique variety that ripens after the Bing.

PICKING CHERRIES

THE ART OF PICKING CHERRIES
Twelve foot ladders are used to maneuver through the cherry trees to hand-pick these delicate jewels. They are carefully placed into a picking bucket, once full they are then transferred to cherry lugs.

RAINIER LUGS

FROM ORCHARD TO WAREHOUSE
The hard working growers transport the fruit to our main Wenatchee plant within hours after the cherries are picked, to one of the most modern packing facilities in the state. The red varieties are immediately hydro-cooled, (except for the Rainiers) before being placed into the water bath.

SINGULATOR

SINGULATOR
The cherries travel up an elevator, then flow into the cluster cutter and along the singulator. The function of the singulator is to discard the loose leaves and place the cherries into rows.

SORTING LINE

SORTING LINE
The cherries are then sorted to discard the non-packable cherries for processing. The remainder then continue down the line to be hydro-cooled, washed and packed for the fresh market.

HYDRO-COOLING

HYDRO-COOLING
The water temperature is kept at a constant 36 degrees Farenheight to ensure care, crispness and great flavor before the final sizing prior to packing. Cherries range in sze from 9 row (being the largest in diameter) to 13 row.

CHERRY ELEVATORS

CHERRY ELEVATORS TO PACKING STATION
The final reservoir of fresh cherries descends from the elevator to the packing station. The Starr Ranch Growers sales staff coordinate with the warehouse to ensure every order is filled on demand.

BAGGING MACHINE

BAGGING MACHINE
These full-color two pound bags are packed using state-of-the-art machinery that handles the fruit with ease. Quality control and food safety are at the forefront of our cherry growing and packing process.

PACKED TO PERFECTION

PACKED TO PERFECTION
The final product is ready for fresh market consumption. There is something special about sweet Starr Ranch Growers cherries from the great Northwest...they are bigger, juicier and sweeter!