Cherry Central
Growing, Processing and Marketing Fruit

Cherry Central in Traverse City, Michigan

Old Orchard

Fertile ground for an Industry Leader

Cherry Central is rooted in the fruit-growing traditions of Traverse City, Michigan, the celebrated Cherry Capital of the World, where we make our home. Hugged by Lake Michigan to the west and Grand Traverse Bay in the north, this unique region of the state offers ideal climate and topography for bountiful harvests of all kinds, especially the spectacular fruit we proudly bear in our name.

Founded in 1973, when five independent cherry growers came together to market and sell their tarts and sweets, Cherry Central Cooperative soon expanded operations. Fruit-growing sources and processing capabilities grew to include apples, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and other sweet crops. Consumer demand for additional products gave rise to the inclusion of pomegranates arils and asparagus. As the food culture evolves, so do we. Our product line is continually adapting to meet clients’ needs.

Always breaking new ground

Today, Cherry Central member cooperatives represent hundreds of dedicated farmers and numerous preferred processors in renowned fruit-growing regions in the United States, Canada and around the globe.

We transform the world’s best fruit and asparagus into a vast array of outstanding products for the retail trade as well as for wholesale markets, including ingredients, foodservice, private label and co-pack opportunities.

We leverage our operation with ownership of two Michigan companies: Kalamazoo-based Dunkley International, a machinery manufacturer that specializes in innovative fruit processing equipment, and Oceana Foods of Shelby, a fruit drying facility.

To hear more about Cherry Central’s legacy of premium fruit products and exceptional service, Contact Us.