ABOUT CJ OLSON CHERRIES
Life is a bowl of (C.J. Olson) cherries
Cherries don’t get any fresher or more delicious than these. For over a century Olson’s historic family owned farm in Sunnyvale, California, has grown and harvested Bing cherries and Blenheim apricots the good old-fashioned way. Local, sustainable farming has never tasted so good. These are the perfect gift!
2014 Finalist for the Martha Stewart American Made Awards celebrating local, sustainable artisans that have turned their passion for quality into a way of life.
Our Story (Since 1899!)
What began as a humble farm and fruit stand over a century ago has evolved into a cherished source for the world’s finest cherries and heirloom “California Gold” Blenheim apricots, along with a selection of unique, gourmet products.
Third-generation farmer Charlie Olson is still deeply involved in the family farm, while his daughter, Deborah, manages the mail order and wholesale operations.
In addition to the West Coast summer cherry season, Olson’s offers specially grown cherries from Chile in winter, perfect for holiday celebrations. Every year, Deborah personally visits the farms to inspect the crop to ensure only the largest and most succulent are chosen.
The loyalty of our longtime customers speaks volumes about our commitment to quality and tradition. Our fruits and practices have earned the admiration of culinary icons like Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and Martha Stewart, who have visited our farm in Northern California.
Deborah proudly upholds the family legacy with a guiding philosophy: “I’m in the business of making people happy.” She takes immense joy in her work and is truly grateful for the support of our community over the years. Join us in celebrating a tradition of excellence that continues to thrive.
Our Heirloom Fruit
In today’s world of industrial farming, Charlie Olson and his dedicated team continue to embrace traditional methods. They still carry pipes across their three acres of cherries and ten acres of apricots, nurturing the soil that has supported their fruit trees for nearly a century. Every cherry is hand-sorted on an antique conveyor belt, allowing Charlie to maintain a close watch over the quality of the fruit that has made his family famous.
As their Silicon Valley farm has become smaller, Charlie’s daughter, Deborah, has spent the last 30 years collaborating with a select group of small family farmers. Together, they share sustainable farming practices and a commitment to quality, ensuring that their loyal customers enjoy a plentiful supply of juicy, flavor-packed fruit. This hands-on approach is not just about farming; it’s about preserving a legacy of excellence and flavor.
Meet Owner Deborah Olson
Deborah Olson’s life has been intertwined with cherries from the very beginning. Born in the Santa Clara Valley during the peak of the Bing cherry season, she arrived into the busiest time of the year for her family’s cherry-producing business. As the first grandchild in her generation, Deborah recognized early on her desire to uphold her family’s legacy in the cherry industry.
From a young age, she spent summers working alongside her grandmother at their family fruit stand, selling Bing cherries to delighted customers. In the off-season, she honed her culinary skills with her Lebanese grandmother, Rose, who ignited her passion for good food and cooking. Deborah became known for her exceptional pies, with Bing cherry pie standing out as her signature creation. She earned a B.S. in Food and Nutrition from Long Beach State University and a culinary diploma from La Varenne, the esteemed French cooking school in Paris.
Deborah has made numerous appearances on television, sharing her expertise on cherry harvests and demonstrating her beloved cherry pie recipes. These experiences have helped her forge connections with culinary icons like Martha Stewart, Julia Child, and Jacques Pepin.
While Deborah honors her family’s commitment to quality, she has also infused her own vision into the business. In response to the evolving marketplace, she launched a mail order operation in 1988, allowing customers across the country—including top restaurants—to enjoy her premium Bing cherries and specialty food products. To extend the cherry season, she established partnerships with growers in the southern hemisphere, ensuring her customers always have access to the finest cherries.
When the cherry seasons comes to a close, you’ll find Deborah embracing life to the fullest. She loves to dance, travel the world, and continually explore the realms of fine food and wine. Her cherry bowl is always overflowing!
C.J. Olson Featured in Martha Stewart’s Blog
C.J. Olson Cherries was featured on Martha’s blog (24 Hours in San Francisco, a whirlwind trip!) in 2008. Deborah Olson is pictured with Martha Stewart at the Google Conference in San Francisco. Our beautiful and delicious cherries were provided for Martha’s demo.
Cherries Jubilee May/June 2009 featured in California Bountiful
In 2009, Tracy Sellars of California Bountiful magazine visited C. J. Olson Cherries at the historic fruit stand in Sunnyvale. While the farm stand has since closed, Olson’s continues to provide the world’s finest cherries and apricots.
OLSON WAY
Olson Family Honored with Sunnyvale Street Naming
The Olson Family was honored to have a street named after them on May 17, 2011. The street, Olson Way, is located in downtown Sunnyvale at the corner of N. Taaffe and Olson Way. Deborah Olson, her father Charlie, city officials, The Fremont High Firebird Band and many well wishers were on hand for the dedication.
