Price for sweet cherries jumps

Even farm-fresh advocates might grimace when dropping $7 up to $8 into a safety box while picking up a quart of sweet cherries at county roadside markets.

Social media posts during the past week took aim at high sweet cherry prices. But consumers can take solace in knowing that paying an extra buck or two will help Leelanau fruit growers stay afloat while the cost and time required to grow cherries have risen dramatically.

County growers say they don’t want to gouge customers. But it’s been a tough year for them.