C.J. Olson Cherries

Since 1899

What started as a small farm and fruit stand in 1899 became a historic destination and a source for spectacularly juicy and flavorful California cherries, apricots and other seasonal fruit along with delicious, unique products.  Third generation farmer Charlie Olson remains active in the family farm while daughter Deborah tends to the mail order and wholesale side of the business, extending her reach to South America, Chile, where she imports especially grown cherries for the holidays. The many fiercely loyal and long-time Olson customers are a testament to their commitment to quality. Their fruit and business practices have long been celebrated by, Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and Martha Stewart who stopped by when in Northern California. Proud to continue the family tradition and staying true to her mantra— “I’m in the business of making people happy,” Deborah thoroughly enjoys the fruits of her labor and is grateful to all her supporters throughout the years.

Deborah, pictured, hand-picks her cherries for her many coveted customers.

About The Fruit

In the age of industrialized farming, Charlie Olson and his team still lug pipe across the three acres of cherries and 10 acres of apricots to irrigate the soil that has nurtured fruit trees for nearly a century. He and his team also hand-sort the cherries on an antique conveyor belt. More than a mere labor of love, this high-touch approach allows Olson to keep careful watch and care over the fruit he and his family have become famous for—and to produce outstandingly flavorful and ripe results. Over the years as their Silicon Valley farm has gotten smaller, Charlie’s daughter, Deborah, has been working for the past 30 years with a select group of small family farmers who share their growing conditions, sustainable farming practices, and commitment to quality to ensure an ample quantity of juicy, flavor-bursting fruit for their loyal customers.

Meet The Owner

Deborah Olson’s entire life has evolved, and revolved, around cherries. She was born in the Santa Clara Valley at the peak of the California Bing cherry season the busiest time of the year for her cherry-producing family. As the first grandchild of her generation, Deborah knew early on that she wanted to carry on her family’s tradition and leadership in the cherry business.

As a youngster, she spent every summer working side-by-side with her grandmother at their family fruit stand selling Bing cherries. In the off-season, she learned how to cook with her Lebanese grandmother, Rose, who sparked her continuing interest in good food and cooking. Pies, of course were Deborah’s speciality and a Bing cherry pie was her masterpiece. She earned a B.S. Degree in Food and Nutrition from Long Beach State University and a culinary diploma from La Varenne, the renowned French cooking school in Paris.

Over the years, Deborah has apppeared on numerous television programs discussing and promoting the upcoming cherry harvest, and demonstrating how to make cherry pies. These appearances and her love of life helped her befriend luminaries in the culinary world including Martha Stewart, Julia Child and Jacques Pepin.

While she continues to maintain her family’s traditions of quality, Deborah has brought her own vision and innovations to the business. Operating in an ever-changing business climate, she developed and introduced a mail order operation in 1988 that resulted in shipping Bing cherries and food products to customers across America, including top restaurants that have come to depend on her quality products. She expanded the cherry season by establishing relationships with Bing cherry growers in the southern hemisphere so that her customers can always get the best cherries that are available.

Between cherry seasons, you can find Deborah enjoying the good life. She loves to dance, travel the world and is always focused on learning more about fine food and wine. Her cherry bowl is always full!