With Canadian sweet cherries arriving in supermarkets and markets across the country, the BC Cherry Association is encouraging consumers to pay closer attention to the origin of the product.
The suggested action is simple: flip the package, read the label and check the signs displayed at the point of sale.
This is the central message of the fourth edition of Canadian Cherry Month, the national initiative dedicated to promoting cherries grown in Canada.
Running from July 15 to August 15, Canadian Cherry Month coincides with the peak of the domestic season. The campaign aims to help consumers identify and purchase Canadian-grown sweet cherries with greater awareness.
The theme chosen for 2026, “Flip for Canadian Cherries”, literally encourages shoppers to turn the package over to check the country of origin. According to the association, this quick check can directly support local cherry growers.
To identify Canadian cherries, the BC Cherry Association recommends three simple actions:
When the origin is not clearly indicated, customers can ask the manager of the produce department. If the product is sold out, they can also ask when the next shipment will arrive.
Canadian consumers show strong interest in domestically produced agricultural products and fresh, locally grown food. However, Canadian cherries may be displayed alongside imported cherries, making the distinction less obvious.
The campaign therefore encourages shoppers to look more carefully at bags, labels and store signs, and to ask for clarification when the country of origin cannot be immediately identified.
Retailers also play an important role: by understanding customers’ interest in Canadian-grown products, they can provide more accurate information and make the origin of the cherries more visible.
“Finding premium Canadian quality is simple, and we want that message to remain top of mind, even in a busy produce department,” said Sukhpaul Bal, president of the BC Cherry Association.
“By reminding people to flip the package or check display bins and signs for the words ‘Product of Canada’ or ‘Product of BC’, we are helping them connect with local growers and choose Canadian cherries when they are at their best.”
To make the campaign message more engaging, the BC Cherry Association has launched the new Flip & Share contest alongside Canadian Cherry Month.
The initiative runs from 9:00 a.m. on July 15, 2026, Pacific Time, until 11:59 p.m. on August 16, 2026.
During the promotional period, participants can share where they found Canadian sweet cherries and enter for a chance to win weekly grocery-related prizes.
To participate, users must follow @CanadianCherryMonth on Instagram or Facebook and comment on the pinned post dedicated to the Flip & Share contest, stating where they found Canadian cherries.
Participants can receive an additional entry by tagging a friend in the same comment. Full details, prizes and the official rules are available through the page indicated by the BC Cherry Association.
Canadian Cherry Month is not limited to promoting a seasonal product. The campaign draws attention to the value of origin information and to the role that consumers and retailers can play in supporting domestic production.
A check lasting only a few seconds in front of the shelf can become an informed choice in support of local growers. More information about the initiative, the benefits of Canadian sweet cherries and dedicated recipes is available on the Canadian Cherry Month website.
Source: thegrower.org
Image source: BC CHERRY ASSOCIATION
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