Chukar Cherries
History:
It was just over 18 years ago that Pam Montgomery founded Chukar Cherries. She and her husband were living in Seattle when they decided to explore new business opportunities.
The largest cherry orchard in the state of Washington was for sale at the time. After some careful deliberation they decided “That’s for us!” Did they know what they were getting into? No. Did this fact slow them down? Again, no. They quit their jobs, packed up their belongings, and excitedly drove the three hours to their newly acquired 100 acre cherry orchard in the beautiful Yakima Valley in southeastern Washington State.
The acreage was near Prosser, a rural town of about 5,000. In those days Eastern Washington business was typically a “good ole boys“ network. Wives usually filled the supportive roles like administrative assistant or bookkeeper.
Having been a successful real estate sales and marketing professional in Seattle throughout her twenties, Pam quickly learned this venture was going to require quite an adjustment. She dutifully fulfilled the above tasks for several years, before turning them over to the expanding Chukar crew.
When they bought the 100 acre cherry farm, their daughter Vivian was just two weeks old. The first two years saw growing pains in the fruit growing business, as well as the birth of their twin daughters, Alexandra and Wynne. Talk about being busy, they certainly were!
I spite of three active daughters, Pam was bursting with creative ideas and energy. With over 8,000 cherry trees, there was a bountiful supply of fruit remaining after the harvest. Gleaning the sweet cherries from the trees, Pam began to experiment with them in her kitchen. The results? Naturally dried cherries. Preserved cherries. Cherries coated in sweet chocolate. All were delicious, and they sparked the idea of a gourmet, specialty food operation.
Why not create food products celebrating the flavors and natural bounty of this glorious fruit producing region? Its cherries, berries, apples, grapes and other stone fruits were the ideal ingredients. Unique, 100% natural, regional fruit products would reflect where our company and family were in both style and taste.
With the encouragement of both family and friends Chukar Cherries was launched in 1988. The business developed slowly over the years. Life on the farm was full of incredible highs and lows.
After some growing pains of his own, Pam’s husband went his own way with the orchards and Pam continued on with Chukar Cherries, purchasing premium cherries from a nearby coop of local growers. Bings, Rainiers, and Tart Cherries became her staples. Local growers were thrilled to have a local outlet for their annual crop.
Several years later, Tom Montgomery joined the Chukar team and married Pam. Together they have built a thriving, family owned and operated specialty food manufacturer. They create tempting gourmet food and gifts that reflect the agricultural bounty and natural flavors of the Pacific Northwest.
CHUKAR PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES
All Chukar products are 100% natural. Their approach is pretty simple: use only the finest all natural ingredients, combining them in delicious, creative ways. All the products are 100% natural and Kosher certified. This means that all natural flavor is from spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, or leaf. There is nothing artificial added. No trans fats, sulfites, or prervatives are added.
