Up North Blog

A bundle of tulips beside a plate of cheesecake with berries for Mother’s Day

11 Cherry Breakfast Ideas for a Sweet Start to Mother's Day

From cherry coffee cake and Black Forest Fluff Pound Cake to parfaits and pancakes, there are plenty of delicious ways to treat Mom to a Mother’s Day breakfast she’ll love. Explore low-fuss favorites, brunch-worthy dishes, and gift-ready picks from Cherry Republic.

Cherry Republic’s Black Forest fluff Pound Cake on a wooden board

Black Forest Cake: The Ultimate Cherry Chocolate Indulgence

Black Forest cake combines deep chocolate, whipped cream, and bright cherries in a timeless dessert that never loses its charm. From its old-world German roots to Cherry Republic’s fresh spin on those beloved flavors, discover why it still belongs at the heart of any celebration.

Fresh and dried cherries with blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries on a wooden table by a bright window with flowers outside

8 Cherry and Berry Recipes Made for Bright Spring Days

Cherries and berries bring plenty of color, flavor, and texture to these spring-ready recipes. From casual bakes to shareable sweets, this lineup is full of easy ideas for sunny days, brunch tables, and afternoon gatherings that call for something homemade.

Easter dessert ideas on a wooden cutting board: sliced Cherry Coffee Bundt cake and Black Forest Fluff pound cake

Easter Dessert Ideas: Cherry Cakes for Spring Celebrations

Celebrate spring with Easter dessert ideas that feel bright, shareable, and just a little special. Cherry cakes bring the ruby-red hue and sweet and tangy flavor—whether you’re hosting brunch, finishing dinner with dessert, or sending a treat to family and friends.

A bowl of yogurt topped with granola, strawberries, blackberries, and dried cherries, with a hand holding a spoon above it, next to a larger bowl of granola on a wooden table

11 Delicious Things to Do With Dried Cherries

Wondering what to do with dried cherries? Explore delicious recipes that use this versatile pantry staple in baked goods, salads, snacks, and more. These easy ideas show how dried cherries can add texture and a pop of fruity flavor to everyday dishes.

Bless the Buds and Blossoms 2026 Campaign

Thank you for showing interest in joining our Bless the Buds and Blossoms Campaign. It doesn’t require much, just understanding our situation and sending all the cherry farmers and their families some good energy. And with all that good energy and understanding swirling around the north, it just may turn our farmers' and cherry processors' fortunes around.

Hey, just so you know—Cherry Republic is going to be fine. We have the back-up plans in place to come out in decent shape no matter what the weather tosses us in 2026. I’ll tell you about some of Cherry Republic’s special 2026 cherry plans in future Orchard Reports. No need to waste a bit of worry on Cherry Republic—just do what you always do with us: enjoy.

Here is the issue though: For the last two years, our winters have been just warm enough that the cherry trees bud and blossom a tad earlier in the spring, yet we still have the challenging cold spells in late April and May that freeze the vulnerable early buds and blossoms. Let’s pray for cold these next few weeks, which is thankfully predicted by the weathermen and women, because the colder the winter stays into the spring, the better for the trees to produce blossoms later in May, shortly after the frost season.

For much of the 2026 winter, it has been wonderfully cold and snowy, which has kept our trees happily and safely dormant. Unfortunately, we had a warm several days with a day that reached 61 degrees. We never know exactly how much a few warm days and nights will affect the crop, but there isn’t a farmer or person in the cherry industry who is sleeping soundly right now. If you add a few other challenges beyond frost, like a new pest attacking the cherries, and labor shortages and having lost some national accounts due to the instability of our cherry crops. It all means a downsizing is happening in the cherry industry across the north.

In this challenge, some farmers have shrunken down their cherry orchards. The farm in the photo above is just two miles from my house. He was so intent on pulling his cherry trees, he used two excavators instead of just one. You can see the black patch on the left of the photo where he created a pile of the limbs and burned them.

It isn’t pretty to hear about, but that field will be beautiful this summer and with just half his orchard, this farmer can spend twice as much time with his family.

But it would be nice for this farmer and all farmers to be excited about a sweet and beautiful cherry crop this summer. And just like many of our customers taking a moment to bless the blossoms and buds in spring of 2013, which helped bring on a good crop later that summer, let's all join in Blessing the Blossoms with the trust and belief that the same thing can happen this year.

And while you are blessing those blossoms, take a moment to bless your family, your work, your neighbors, and everyone in your lives. It makes a difference.

Bless you.

Sincerely, all my blessings to you and your family,

Bob Sutherland

Clear wine glass with red wine on a wooden table

What Goes with Cherry Wine? Food Pairings That Just Work

Cherry wine spans sweet, semi-dry, and everything in between—making it surprisingly more versatile at the table than most expect. Discover which foods pair best with fruit-forward wines, along with occasion-ready combinations for weeknights, date nights, celebrations, and other special moments.

Chocolate-covered cherries in white paper cups on a glass platter atop a wooden table

Cherry-Filled Valentine’s Day Treats They’ll Love at First Bite

Valentine’s Day treats don’t have to be over-the-top to feel personal. Cherry-forward favorites keep it warm and easy—chocolate-covered classics, tangy gummies with a little bite, and snack boxes for couch dates or long-distance surprises. Hand one over in person, or send it to their doorstep. Either way, it won’t last long.

A bowl of chocolate-covered cherries from Cherry Republic

Why Michigan's Chocolate-Covered Cherries Are Worth Returning To

Michigan’s chocolate-covered cherries have repeat appeal for a reason. From their tart cherry tang to their luscious chocolate coatings, this article explores why Michigan’s favorite fruity confection delivers a better bite. The Mitten State’s cherry treats are so easy to enjoy that it’s hard to settle for anything else.

A Valentine’s gift box wrapped in brown paper with a bright red ribbon on a dark surface

Best Valentine’s Gift Boxes Filled with Cherry Favorites

This Valentine’s Day, last-minute gifts just won’t do. Show your love with Valentine’s gift boxes filled with Cherry Republic favorites—thoughtfully curated for partners, friends, and family. Perfect for when you want your gesture to feel sweet, meaningful, and genuinely heartfelt.

31 Days of Giving: Agriculture, Food & Community

We at Cherry Republic appreciate our customers' support and interest in helping farmers survive and thrive in their careers. There are lots of organizations in northern Michigan working to help our northern Michigan farmers thrive (or at least make a decent living doing this fundamental work that we all depend on). These are the groups Cherry Republic has chosen to support with our 2025 31 Days of Giving:

Crosshatch

Groundworks

Leelanau Conservancy

Lively Farms/Neighborfoods

Little Traverse Conservancy

Legacy Conservancy

GTR Land Conservancy

Leelanau Hort Station

Cherry Marketing Institute

Michigan Farmers Union

Grow Benzie

Bluebird Farm, Empire

Michigan Farm2Neighbor

Sparkling wine being poured into a glass at a holiday table with red candles

Sip-Worthy Cherry Wine Gifts to Toast the Holidays in Style

Gift-giving calls for something a little more memorable than your classic cabernet or chardonnay. This guide explores cherry pours with vibrant color, fruit-forward flavor, and just enough zing to stand out, helping you choose memorable wine gifts for everyone on your holiday list.

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