the PROgram supplies its customers with the finest Montmorency cherries.  The cherries are carefully inspected throughout the production process to ensure that they meet Grade A standards.  The cherries are available in many process and size options for you to choose from.  Please take a look below for all of the options.

IQF RED TART PITTED MONTMORENCY (40 LB CTN)

Description

Frozen, red tart, pitted cherries are prepared from ripened fruit of the cherry tree, of the red sour varietal group, Montmorency variety. The fruit shall be thoroughly chilled and washed, graded, properly destemmed, sorted, pitted, pit detected and drained, prior to packaging. The fruit shall be rapidly handled, prior to freezing and promptly after packing and freezing. The use of Alar or other growth regulating/ripening chemicals is prohibited.

General Requirements

The product must be free from all contamination, extraneous material and foreign objects.

Physical Requirements

(Based on a 40-ounce sample for pits and a 100-count sample for defects, color and size.)

Unless otherwise specified, all cherries shall meet or exceed USDA Grade A standards.

Microbiological Requirements

All chemical and microbiological analyses listed above are conducted in accordance with Official Methods of Analysis as listed in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) of the Federal Food and Drug Administration, or other recognized official publications, unless otherwise indicated.

Packaging Requirements

The product shall be packged in linear low density, 2 mil food grade, polyethylene bag lined containers of sufficient strength, 40 lbs per net. No staples or wire closures are allowed. Triple stretch wrapped, 50 units per pallet.

Labeling Requirements

Each container shall be properly labeled in accordance with all Federal labeling requirements. Each container shall be clearly marked with the production lot code, product name, ingredient statement, packer name, packer address and net weight. The date of processing shall be indicated by using an open code date which includes the month, day and year.

Storage & Shelf Life Requirements

The product shall be stored and shipped at -5 degrees Fahrenheit or below. The product shall show no evidence of thawing and refreezing. The cherries shall be shipped in an adequate transportation vehicle, which is fully insulated an equipped with mechanical refrigeration. The shelf life, when stored as required, is 18 months from date of processing.

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IQF DARK SWEET (40 LB CTN)

Description

IQF Dark Sweet cherries shall be prepared from suitable dark sweet varieties having a mature status, to produce the desired color, flavor, character and freedom from defects. The finished product will be washed, stemmed, punch pitted and individually quick frozen at a temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Acceptance

All processing must be preformed in a sanitary manner and be in accordance with all good manufacturing practice regulations issued by the FDA. All shipments must conform in every respect to the requirements adopted by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, individual states and any other government agencies.

All pesticides and herbicides applied to fruit must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All residual levels in finished product must be within acceptable limits developed by the EPA and FDA guidelines.

Processing

IQF cherries should be processed using the following parameters:

• The products shall conform to all quality parameters specified herein.
• The product should be free from all contamination, including infestation and foreign materials. Off flavors and odors are also inadmissable.
• The product shall be Kosher and must remain under Kosher Certification.
• The production process must meet minimum sanitary and regulatory requirements.

Analysis

Additional information considered routine quality control results/scores, may be requested and would be supplied within reasonable time by the supplier.

Physical Properties

Microbiological Requirements

Packaging

Product will be paced in a 40 lb corrugated box lined with a clean polyethylene bag folded and tucked in close. No staples or wires are permitted to close liners or box. Each box shall be clearly marked with lot numbers, processor name and be in accordance with all Federal labeling requirements.

Shipping

The product shall be shipped in a refrigerated unit set to maintain a core temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, each mode of transportation shall be free from evidence of vermin, infestation, debris, filth, mold, odors and residues of toxic chemicals

Storage

The product shall be stored at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below.

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5+1 RED TART PITTED MONTMORENCY (30 LB PAIL)

Description

Red, tart, pitted Montmorency 5+1 frozen cherries, packed with a granulated sugar cap.

Color

Bright red, meets USDA Grade A standard, maximum 12% by count, vary markedly or under-colored.

Pits

Must meet or exceed USDA Grade A standard, except that there is sample average 1 per 480 ounces, Edwards Test Procedure #21-A.

Defects

Must meet or exceed USDA Grade A standard. Maximum 10% by count of mutilated, minor blemished and blemished, of which blemished limited to 3%

Average 1 piece harmless extraneous material (as per defined by USDA specifications for RTP cherries) per 60 oz net contents.

Size

Fresh fruit size should be greater than 11/16”. The diameter of a frozen cherry should be aproximately 0.67” to 0.70”.

Drained Weight

After five minutes, 10 lbs (+/–1 lb) fruit from 30 lb pail, at 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Foreign Matter

Meets applicable FDA and USDA standards. All raw materials, which are technically feasible, shall pass through a metal detector capable of sensing 2.0 mm ferrous and 2.0 mm non-ferrous matter. The system shall be equipped with an automatic rejection mechanism and a documented monitoring program. Any foreign matter not considered harmless extraneous (as defined by USDA specifications for RTP cherries) will result in the immediate rejection of all involved lot numbers.

Chemical Standards

Microbiological Standards

Warranty

Vendor will supply warranty that the product shall conform to all provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and amendments and applicable USDA regulations, recognized industry standards, and is fit for indended use.

Packaging

Labeling

Each container will bear a single legible code date ont he lid and bucket. Ventor will supply an explanation of product coding system prior to the first shipment. Coding changes must be communicated in writing to EBC's quality assurance director. Each shipment will contain no more than three different code date numbers.

Storage

Receiving and holding temperature shall be zero degrees Fahrenheit or below. Thawing temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours.

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