Definitive Contract 123J1426C0537

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service awarded a $822,152.50 firm fixed-price definitive contract to Cherry Central Cooperative, Inc., a small business based in Ludington, Michigan, on January 28, 2026. The contract calls for the supply of bottled fruit juices in 8/64 fluid ounce plastic bottles, specifically apple juice, cherry apple juice, grape concord juice, and cranberry apple juice, intended for distribution through federal food assistance programs including the National School Lunch Program. The contract carries a total small business set-aside designation and extends through June 30, 2026, with performance to be fulfilled from Cherry Central's primary facility in Ludington, Michigan.

Cherry Central Cooperative is an established agricultural cooperative and fruit product manufacturer with extensive experience supplying commodity products to USDA agencies. The company has maintained an active SAM.gov registration since 2001 and has received over 100 prime federal contract awards, primarily from the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and Food and Nutrition Service. Cherry Central currently holds three active Indefinite Delivery Contracts with the Agricultural Marketing Service valued in excess of $11.2 million, positioning the cooperative as a reliable supplier of shelf-stable fruit products for federal nutrition initiatives. All products supplied under this contract must be grown, processed, and prepared exclusively in the United States in accordance with Agricultural Acquisition Regulation requirements.