About Us
Who is
Cherry Central?
Cherry Central is a farmer-owned cooperative that believes we are stronger when we work together. Today, Cherry Central comprises hundreds of small family farms. Just as our farmers have been innovating for generations, so is Cherry Central. Cherry Central is committed to the power of good. We lead with service, focusing on creating good and nutritious food. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that good and nutritious food has a direct and powerful impact on the health of people and the planet.
Our food is how we will impact the world. Our industry, agriculture, is at the intersection of food and health. As a farmer-owned co-op, we’re in a position to support a sustainable food system. By working together with our farmers, we can provide innovative, accessible, affordable, and nutritious food to people all over the world.
Here at Cherry Central, we focus our innovation in health and wellness. We focus on connecting farms to families and working together. We know the only way to make a true impact is to work together. Through charitable giving, we partner with local communities to support the health of people worldwide. We use our strategic pillars to stay aligned with our mission, so we can be an evolving and strong cooperative for generations to come.
Cherry Central manufacturing facilities have embraced the Global Food Safety Initiative standards. It’s how we know we’re promoting impactful health and food safety practices around the world. Through innovation, we create nutritious products for families worldwide, while making a positive impact on our environment.
We love what we grow and know that you will too.
Our
History
On April 2, 1973, five Michigan farmers came together to form the Cherry Central Cooperative. Since then, our federation of grower-controlled operations provides centralized sales and marketing operations for Michigan fruits and vegetables.
Our first products were tart cherries, sweet cherries, juice cherries, and purple plums. We sold tart cherries in 30-pound tins, packed in drums and plastic containers, or in a hot pack.
Cherry Central soon began to export its products to Canada, Japan and other countries in East Asia. Outstanding success in these markets led to expansion into Europe. By 1975, 25% of Cherry Central’s business came from export sales, thanks to high demand for the unique qualities of the Montmorency cherry. Today, Cherry Central exports a variety of products all over the world.
Innovation remains an important part of our mission. In 1984, Cherry Central acquired Dunkley International as a wholy owned subsidiary. Acquiring this machinery manufacturer allowed us to expand our focus on developing innovative fruit processing equipment. Through the acquisition, we offered sales, leasing, service, and manufacture of cherry pitters and related equipment. We could also handle fabrication of complete cherry and blueberry processing lines.
Since then, Cherry Central continues to grow. We share our apples, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and other sweet crops with the world. Consumer demand led us to add pomegranite arils and asparagus in recent years. Today, Cherry Central transforms the world’s best fruit and asparagus into a wide range of outstanding products. We produce and package foods for the retail trade and wholesale markets, including ingredients, food servce, private label, and co-pack opportunities. As the food culture evolves, so do we. Our product line is always adapting to meet our clients’ needs.
Today, Cherry Central comprises hundreds of dedicated farmers and preferred processors in renowned fruit-growing regions in the United States, Canada and around the globe. Cherry Central leads the way in food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. We love what we grow, and know that you will too.
On April 2, 1973, five Michigan farmers came together to form the Cherry Central Cooperative. Since then, our federation of grower-controlled operations provides centralized sales and marketing operations for Michigan fruits and vegetables.
Our first products were tart cherries, sweet cherries, juice cherries, and purple plums. We sold tart cherries in 30-pound tins, packed in drums and plastic containers, or in a hot pack.
Cherry Central soon began to export its products to Canada, Japan and other countries in East Asia. Outstanding success in these markets led to expansion into Europe. By 1975, 25% of Cherry Central’s business came from export sales, thanks to high demand for the unique qualities of the Montmorency cherry. Today, Cherry Central exports a variety of products all over the world.
Innovation remains an important part of our mission. In 1984, Cherry Central acquired Dunkley International as a wholy owned subsidiary. Acquiring this machinery manufacturer allowed us to expand our focus on developing innovative fruit processing equipment. Through the acquisition, we offered sales, leasing, service, and manufacture of cherry pitters and related equipment. We could also handle fabrication of complete cherry and blueberry processing lines.
Since then, Cherry Central continues to grow. We share our apples, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and other sweet crops with the world. Consumer demand led us to add pomegranite arils and asparagus in recent years. Today, Cherry Central transforms the world’s best fruit and asparagus into a wide range of outstanding products. We produce and package foods for the retail trade and wholesale markets, including ingredients, food servce, private label, and co-pack opportunities. As the food culture evolves, so do we. Our product line is always adapting to meet our clients’ needs.
Today, Cherry Central comprises hundreds of dedicated farmers and preferred processors in renowned fruit-growing regions in the United States, Canada and around the globe. Cherry Central leads the way in food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. We love what we grow, and know that you will too.
The
Team
Our
Growers
Family Farmers dedicated to bringing you the highest quality fruit products with a passion for preserving the quality of the land for generations to come.
Hackert Family Farms
http://hackertfamilyfarms.com/
Schuyler Farms
www.norfolkcherry.ca
Northwest Tart Cherry
www.tasteatreat.com
McMullin Orchards
http://www.mcmullinorchards.com/
Payson Fruit Growers
https://www.montiestartcherries.com
Our
Sales Channels
