For those of you who live in California’s Central Valley, you know that the weather in springtime can be fickle. Fluctuations in spring weather leave cherry farmers on edge as they work for and hope for the best while preparing for what may be not so ideal. Well, we just made it through one of those fickle seasons. While it was fun to hang out in the back yard in our shorts and flip flops and grill in April as if we were in the middle of summer, we experienced the other extreme as we had to dig out our sweaters and umbrellas right afterward. While our local Cherry farmers worked hard to see it through to a plentiful season, Mother Nature had other plans. Just as the fruits reached their prime ripeness, along came a cold rainy snap. Cherry trees and their crop flourish in a good rain shower except when the fruit is ripe and ready for harvest. At this stage the rain causes the fruit to crack, disqualifying them from being sent to your local market.
This was definitely a challenge for our local California Cherry growing friends. We worked diligently to save as many cherries as possible and were able to upcycle a hefty amount of ripe and perfectly nutritious fruits. Through upcycling we have been working to reduce food waste for over 40 years. Thank goodness for this practice. Think about the human efforts, equipment, organic treatments and orchard care invested. And water, it takes about 400 gallons of water to grow enough cherries to make one pound of dried cherries. Think about the energy the earth put forth to growing this precious and fussy fruit…but please don’t cry, friends. The silver lining on these clouds is that beautiful, nutritious fruits were still produced, the markets actually did enjoy a supply of fresh Certified Organic Cherries and waste was decreased.
We were able to get these freshly-picked fruits from our grower-partners’ local packing sheds and whisk them off to our drying facilities, where these fruits were transformed into gems of hope and symbols of optimism for better harvests ahead as we showed the earth our gratitude for all it gives to us.
We hope the news about our Certified Organic Cherry harvest isn’t bumming you out. Not to minimize it, but it’s part of an enormous, beautiful thing we do as farmers. This is part of the ups and downs that we endure to offer real, honest food to sustain you and your families today and for generations to come. Even if you live far away, we’re sure you’re getting the feeling about the miracles – and the challenges – of farming.
To celebrate those Cherries that endured and found their lucky ways to the fresh market, we are also very much celebrating the profoundly important and honorable practice of upcycling. Are you feeling it, friends? We sure are and we hope you’re seeing the beauty of rescuing fruits! To celebrate very special and sometimes temperamental Certified Organic Dried Cherries, we’re offering them to you from now through the end of July for 25 percent off, or $14.99 per pound. We say you pick up extras to share with family and friends and while you’re at it, tell them about this practice and encourage them to support farmers who upcycle, starting with Bella Viva Orchards, that is!
Save up, thank a farmer and pat yourself on the back for supporting the practice of upcycling, friends. Now put on your flip flops, get out in your back yard and enjoy a handful of Certified Organic Dried Cherries!
