Melanie LaPerriere
President CEO
Melanie LaPerriere is a recognized leader in the further processed produce industry. She helped to create Naturipe Foods, launched in 2008 as a sales and marketing organization for a Midwestern based blueberry cooperative, a family owned blueberry grower from Delano, California, and a Santiago, Chile-based blueberry grower business.
She has directly impacted well-known brands, including Blue Diamond Almond consumer products, and Procter & Gamble branded food products. As Cherry Central’s President and CEO, she now leads a cooperative of growers spanning across multiple growing regions including Ontario, Canada; Michigan, Utah and Washington state.
Cherry Central is a leading producer of Montmorency cherry juices and concentrates, Indian Summer apple products, IQF cherries & 5+1 cherries serving the ingredient market. Melanie comes to Cherry Central as our cooperative nears its 50th anniversary. Her focus is positioning the company for success well into the future.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Melanie attended Xavier University where she graduated with a BSBA in Marketing. She began her career in Cincinnati with Procter & Gamble. She later moved to Northern California, where she worked for Blue Diamond Growers. She resides in Michigan and works out of our Traverse City, Michigan headquarters.
“As Cherry Central approaches its Golden Anniversary, we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to look toward the future, tackle new challenges, and ensure that this cooperative will succeed for another 50 years. We will grow together so we can serve consumers and customers together with one voice.”