CHELAN, WA - Nothing says “promotable product” quite like having such a following that said product has its own national day.

On this day more than 60 years ago, Washington State University’s Harold Fogle successfully cross-bred Bing cherry and Van cherry varieties to create the sweet Rainier, now one of the better-known varieties on the market. Today, that is celebrated every year on July 11th as National Rainier Cherry Day.

In celebration of its past, and the promise of its future, Kathryn Grandy, Marketing Manager for Chelan Fresh, took the time to share both fun facts and fun uses for this naturally-sweet summer treat.

“Rainier cherries are actually named after Washington State’s tallest mountain, Mount Rainier,” Kathryn tells me, explaining that they are “super sweet" at 17-23% fruit sugar and are generally larger than red sweet cherries.

Rainiers have a thin skin and a flesh that is a thick creamy-yellow. The variety is considered a premium cherry, according to National Day Calendar, with plenty to add to the recipe book besides just snacking.

A couple of ideas Kathryn imparted on me were a gluten, dairy, refined flour, and refined sugar free, whole grain recipe, and a cool “summer in a jar” idea of preserving Rainiers in syrup to enjoy after the season is over.

"Consumers are enjoying Rainier cherries for their delciousness in recipes as well as a fresh snack!" Kathryn says.

Many more recipe ideas, which are a key strategy for many retailers in the produce aisle, can be found on Chelan’s Pinterest here, or in the recipe section of its website here.

How will you or your store celebrate fresh produce on its own calendar day? Share with us by emailing us at [email protected].

Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow for all the latest ways to promote the industry, on national days and all year long.

Chelan Fresh