Cherries are one of the truly seasonal tree fruit commodities. It was because of this highly valued fruit and the high export value that Farmington Fresh was founded on the grounds of the Stockton Metropolitan Airport in 1995.

The most Innovative packaging line in the west has made our venture into the cherry business a highly successful endeavor. Coupled with the most highly regarded grower roster in the state for quality fruit, Farmington Fresh has earned a reputation for being among the industry leader in service and unparalleled in quality of this highly volatile commodity.

Cherries are one of the few truly seasonal commodities. Retailers have found that cherries are not only a great incremental "impulse" item but also are the highest dollar per square foot profit item in the produce department. Cherries are continually identified as one of the healthiest produce items. Along with other berries, sweet cherries continue to garner medical and nutritional community attention relative to their low Glycemic index and increased levels of antioxidants. Additionally, in most regions of the country less than 50% of the population has purchased cherries within the last year proving there is tremendous potential for more volume.

Our cherries are hand harvested and immediately cooled. Maintaining the cold chain is critical to extending the cherry's shelf life. Field heat is removed as soon as possible after harvest. We start cooling cherries in the field utilizing portable hydro coolers, at receiving, prior to packing and throughout the sorting process. This strict adherence to maintaining the cold chain is significant to maintaining a high quality cherry. Our cherries move from harvest to shipment in less than 24-hours to guarantee the freshest product possible to the consumer.

Cherries have always been regarded as one of the healthiest items in the produce department. Recently, cherries along with other berries and Apples have been propelled into the category of SUPERFOODS! Sweet cherries continue to garner medical and nutritional community attention relative to the high levels of Antioxidants and the low Glycemic Index they possess. Recent studies have shown that cherries contain unique plant chemicals that can prevent and treat some of today’s worst health problems, including several different types of cancer, and heart disease. With statistics like that, Farmington Fresh partners and growers realized tremendous potential for more volume, and have positioned themselves to fulfill the growing consumer demand.

Providing our customers with the best quality, wholesome fruit is our first priority at Farmington Fresh. Cherries are particularly perishable and require delicate handling in a packing shed with an innovative packing technique and strategic marketing strategy. Temperature and maintenance of the cold chain is critical with regard to this highly volatile fruit, especially if they are to be shipped to distant markets.

Here are just a few of the things that we do that set us apart from the rest:

• Farmington Fresh cherries are cooled to 32’ within 4-6 hours of harvest in order to Prevent decay and extend post harvest life.
• Farmington Fresh uses a double hydro cooling process, in which the fruit is hydro cooled upon receiving to remove field heat and a second in-line hydro cooler has recently been installed in order to reduce spoilage of our cherries.
• FFP packs our cherries in the most up to date, progressive packing line in the West, paying particular attention to maintenance of the cold chain, which includes packing in a refrigerated room, with a double sorting method in place.
• Our marketing team has progressively investigated packaging styles and methods and can boast that we are the most responsive and prepared to accommodate customer requests for different sizes and packages.
• Our cherry room is HAACP certified to reduce the risk of Food Safety Issues.
• We submit to third party inspections regularly, and our grading and production facilities meet with strict guidelines set out by UDSA, FDA and the State of California.

With our added volume and diversity in packaging offerings, Farmington Fresh feels like we can effectively participate in the fresh cherry marketplace to provide the highest quality of products, with outstanding levels of service and the most innovative technology to consistently supply Sweet California Cherries to our customers and retailers every day of the season! So please feel free to ask your local retailer, club store, or foodservice distributor to carry Farmington Fresh cherries, we are poised to meet the demand, and can’t wait to respond to your needs whether it is export or domestic.