Full cherry harvest begins later this week

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead cherry harvest should be in full swing by early next week, but those who can't wait will find a few fruit stands open along Flathead Lake.

"The local markets have started picking, so there are stands open, at least some open on both the east and west shores," said Dale Nelson, president of the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers.

Nelson said he expects picking to move into high gear by the weekend.

"We're going a little later than we thought," he said. "The big-time picking won't start until the end of the week. We're ready to go, we're just waiting on Mother Nature."

The cooperative's cherries are shipped to Monson Fruit Co. in Washington for packing, then are distributed and marketed nationally by Domex, Monson's marketing company.

Local field manager Brian Campbell said this year's cherries are "looking fine." He said the Monson warehouse should start receiving fruit on Friday.

Depending on what the weather brings in the next few days, this year's harvest is on track for average yields. The Flathead cherry harvest typically brings in 2.5 million to 3 million pounds.

At the Bowman Orchards at Yellow Bay, a spokeswoman said picking crews have not yet arrived, but noted that some stands in that area were selling cherries gathered by local growers.