Latest News From Apples Marketing

Hudson River Fruit Distributors sees excellent quality, strong demand
Hudson River Fruit Distributors sees excellent quality, strong demand

Hudson River Fruit Distributors is actively marketing SnapDragon, RubyFrost and EverCrisp apples in 2022, said Alisha Albinder Camac, owner and operator of the Milton, N.Y-based apple marketer.

Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers focuses on keeping customers supplied
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers focuses on keeping customers supplied

Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is focused on year-round supply for its partners, said Dan Davis, director of business development for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.

Domex Superfresh Growers looks for ample supply through the summer
Domex Superfresh Growers looks for ample supply through the summer

Superfresh Growers will have organic and conventional Honeycrisp and gala variety apples through the summer, said Cat Gipe-Stewart, communication manager for Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash.

Apples from New York company promotes flavor, grower connection, healthy eating
Apples from New York company promotes flavor, grower connection, healthy eating

New York apples have a number of winning attributes, and the Apples from New York is touting all of them, said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of the Fishers, N.Y.-based New York Apple Association.

Crunch Time Apple Growers sees sales growth in SnapDragon and RubyFrost 
Crunch Time Apple Growers sees sales growth in SnapDragon and RubyFrost 

SnapDragon and RubyFrost both saw their largest crops yet in 2021, and the shorter crop other varieties have experienced is providing those two varieties opportunities to get in front of new consumers.

Evans Fruit Co. looks to build demand for Cosmic Crisp apples
Evans Fruit Co. looks to build demand for Cosmic Crisp apples

Promoting Cosmic Crisp apples is front and center for Yakima, Wash.-based Evans Fruit Co., said Scott Hennessey, account manager and coordinator.

Digital marketing opens doors for CMI Orchards
Digital marketing opens doors for CMI Orchards

The rapid growth of omnichannel marketing delivers big opportunities for influencing purchases, and CMI Orchards has a digital team in place to work with retailers.

Honeybear Marketing pushes Pazazz apples
Honeybear Marketing pushes Pazazz apples

Brewster, Wash.-based Honeybear Marketing is promoting the health benefits of Pazazz apples through recipes and other promotions, said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing.

Sage Fruit to engage with Cosmic Crisp promotion
Sage Fruit to engage with Cosmic Crisp promotion

Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. has ample Cosmic Crisp volume and will be promoting the variety extensively through the winter and well into 2022, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.

Riveridge Produce boosts new varieties
Riveridge Produce boosts new varieties

Several newer apple varieties are being promoted by Sparta, Mich.-based Riveridge Produce. 

Stemilt looks to Cosmic Crisp, organic apples, Lil Snappers program for winter, spring promotions
Stemilt looks to Cosmic Crisp, organic apples, Lil Snappers program for winter, spring promotions

Stemilt Growers will work with retailers to promote Cosmic Crisp, organic fruit, and the marketer’s Lil Snappers programs through the winter and into the spring.

Truck rates challenge apple marketers
Truck rates challenge apple marketers

Truck rates are at historic highs for the produce industry, and that reality presents challenges to apple marketers in the Northwest and other regions.

Online grocery adds new dynamic to apple marketing
Online grocery adds new dynamic to apple marketing

It is not your grandparents’ apple marketing job. 

Bag apple sales ease slightly but still stronger compared with pre-COVID
Bag apple sales ease slightly but still stronger compared with pre-COVID

Bagged apple sales haven’t disappeared nearly two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but the trend toward packaged fruit is moderating some, industry leaders report.

Shorter apple crop changes promotion mindset
Shorter apple crop changes promotion mindset

A shorter apple crop and inflationary supply chain pressures have changed the feel of the 2021-22 apple compared with a year ago. 

Organic apples in strong demand heading into new year
Organic apples in strong demand heading into new year

Organic apple supplies are tight and getting tighter in the 2021-22 marketing season.

Apple marketers, what's ahead for the winter and spring marketing season?
Apple marketers, what's ahead for the winter and spring marketing season?

The apple season is underway, and we want to hear from apple marketers about your expectations for the second half of this season's apple crop.

Sean Gilbert honored as The Packer’s 2021 Apple Man of the Year
Sean Gilbert honored as The Packer’s 2021 Apple Man of the Year

CHICAGO — Washington apple grower Sean Gilbert is The Packer’s 2021 Apple Man of the Year.

Apple marketers must consider growth of alternative retail channels
Apple marketers must consider growth of alternative retail channels

CHICAGO — Apple marketers must defend their share of stomach against other commodities and pay close attention to new alternative retail formats to fully exploit consumer demand for apples.

Washington apple growers, what's ahead for this season's crop?
Washington apple growers, what's ahead for this season's crop?

The apple season is underway, and we want to hear from you, Washington apple growers and marketers, about your expectations for this year's crop.

NY Apple Association gears up marketing plans, staff
NY Apple Association gears up marketing plans, staff

The Fishers-based New York Apple Association is adding to its retail and foodservice team as it ramps up retail and foodservice promotional plans for this coming fall harvest.

Oppy reports growth in Envy, Jazz
Oppy reports growth in Envy, Jazz

The Oppenheimer Group is reporting growth in its Envy and Jazz apple programs, while Pacific Rose remains strong with exports and in certain domestic markets, said Roger Aguirre, director of apples and pears.

NY Apple Association busy with initiatives
NY Apple Association busy with initiatives

The Fishers-based New York Apple Association rolled out numerous marketing and promotional initiatives in 2020, said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO.

Rice Fruit adds How2Recycle labels
Rice Fruit adds How2Recycle labels

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gardners, Pa.-based grower-shipper Rice Fruit Co. has sharpened its focus on sustainable packaging, said Brenda Briggs, vice president of sales and marketing.

New technology at CMI Orchards
New technology at CMI Orchards

Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower-shipper CMI Orchards LLC continues to test new brands and apple varieties to go with its existing products, said George Harter, vice president of marketing.

Honeybear Brands in expansion mode
Honeybear Brands in expansion mode

Brewster, Wash.-based Honeybear Brands is building a new packing facility, said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing for Honeybear Brands, as well as Elgin, Minn.-based Wescott Orchard & Agri Products Inc.

Sage Fruit adds apple, pear tote bag
Sage Fruit adds apple, pear tote bag

One of the chief initiatives at Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. in 2020 pertained to sustainability, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.

Apple marketers focus on digital promotions
Apple marketers focus on digital promotions

With COVID-19 having forced consumers to stay indoors and sharpen their skills as online shoppers, apple marketers say they have adjusted, too.

Apple packaging demand grows during pandemic
Apple packaging demand grows during pandemic

The COVID-19 crisis has supercharged apple packaging in multiple ways, marketers say.

Retailers have options with promotions, marketers say
Retailers have options with promotions, marketers say

Though COVID-19 has taken away the opportunities for in-person sampling and other strategies, retailers have plenty of apple promotion options, marketers say.

Apple industry fends off pandemic, sees strong sales outlook for 2021
Apple industry fends off pandemic, sees strong sales outlook for 2021

Fresh apple inventories appeared to be down in December, compared to a year earlier, according to the Falls Church, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.

Washington license plate supports apple foundation
Washington license plate supports apple foundation

Washington apple specialty license plates will be available to order from the Department of Licensing July 1.

New York Apple Association earns two Telly Awards
New York Apple Association earns two Telly Awards

The New York Apple Association’s series of videos won two Telly Awards.

A first impression to last an industry
A first impression to last an industry

A black pickup truck emerged from the dawn fog on a chilly December morning, pulling into the hotel driveway in upstate New York. In the driver’s seat was Jim Allen, vice president marketing at New York Apple Sales.

Apple marketers continue to target ‘local’ buyers
Apple marketers continue to target ‘local’ buyers

For apple marketers, “buy local” isn’t just a quaint trend; it’s a key to success, even if the definition of “local” varies from market to market.

Fresh holdings of U.S. apples up by 14%
Fresh holdings of U.S. apples up by 14%

U.S. fresh market apple holdings on Jan. 1 totaled 103.97 million (42-pound) bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association.

Apple marketers find opportunities online
Apple marketers find opportunities online

Apple marketers say they love social media, but they note there’s a problem: overcrowding.

Organic apples continue growth in certain production regions
Organic apples continue growth in certain production regions

Sales weren’t the problem for organic apples in 2019, but markets were, said Addie Pobst, organic integrity and logistics coordinator with Mount Vernon, Wash.-based Viva Tierra Organic Inc.

Cosmic Crisp adds to the menu of variety choices in apple category
Cosmic Crisp adds to the menu of variety choices in apple category

Apple marketers see the Cosmic Crisp as not only a new star on the business horizon, but also as a variety with other-worldly profit potential.

Marketers see plenty of promo potential in new crop
Marketers see plenty of promo potential in new crop

Fresh apple holdings on Dec. 1, 2019 totaled 118.3 million bushels, or 15% higher than a year earlier.

The rise of Cosmic Crisp
The rise of Cosmic Crisp

It’s not very often that you come across a “game-changing” product that actually delivers everything it promises.

Marketing around Jazz apples champions active lifestyles
Marketing around Jazz apples champions active lifestyles

Living an active lifestyle remains a key marketing message around the Jazz apple.

Northwest organic apples come easier, but the Northeast still wants it
Northwest organic apples come easier, but the Northeast still wants it

Whatever your opinion on organics, there’s a market for it.

How apple promotions will play out in 2019
How apple promotions will play out in 2019

When it comes to promoting an apple, the buzzword is “engagement,” whether the audience is the retailer or the consumer.

What’s in a name? A lot, when it comes to 2019 apples
What’s in a name? A lot, when it comes to 2019 apples

In the apple game, it’s all about name dropping. 

<p>Sorting inspector Josefina Hernandez checks for foreign material among the apples rolling along the line at the Empire Fruit Growers packing facility in Wolcott, N.Y. In the last couple years, Empire increased its capacity to bag apples with 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10-pound bags, and added more automation with an internal defect sorting equipment, said Rich Leous, general manager of the cooperative. “It’s certainly technology that pays off,” Leous said.</p>
Demand up, supply mixed for northeast apple growers, packers, shippers

Northeastern apple growers, packers and marketers are enjoying good consumer demand this season, although the supply has been a mixed bag.

New York Apple Association plans new logo
New York Apple Association plans new logo

The New York Apple Association is going to be unveiling a new logo by October, said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of the Fishers-based group.

Apples Marketing business updates
Apples Marketing business updates

Read up on the latest from companies featured in The Packer's Apples Marketing profile.

Regional apple varieties garner attention
Regional apple varieties garner attention

Shiny new apple varieties get a lot of attention, but locally grown legacy varieties still generate plenty of sales and enhance the health of the category in general, marketers say.

More marketers invest in digital
More marketers invest in digital

Apple marketers say they’re just beginning to see the marketing boost that social media offers, whether it’s interactive communication with consumers, sharing recipe ideas or linking apples to community events.