Latest News From Apples

2021 Arctic apple harvest complete, includes first Arctic Fuji crop
2021 Arctic apple harvest complete, includes first Arctic Fuji crop

Okanagan Specialty Fruit has completed the harvest of its 2021 Arctic apple crop.

20 million pieces of fruit sized by mobile app
20 million pieces of fruit sized by mobile app

When NZ based fruit tech innovator, Hectre, launched their early fruit sizing tool Spectre to the apple industry in 2020, little did they know the volume of use cases fruit growers and packers would identify.

U.S. apple exports to India drop sharply
U.S. apple exports to India drop sharply

The U.S. Apple Association today said more needs to be done to ensure U.S. apple growers can once again compete in the Indian market.

USDA announces large fresh apple and pear purchase
USDA announces large fresh apple and pear purchase

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a $1.5 million purchase of fresh apples and pears for the agency's nutrition programs.

 USDA projects unchanged Chilean apple production, lower pear output
USDA projects unchanged Chilean apple production, lower pear output

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects Chilean apple production and exports to remain flat in the marketing year 2021-22.

Regional apple data shows promising numbers during Stemilt’s Fast Facts: The Cast
Regional apple data shows promising numbers during Stemilt’s Fast Facts: The Cast

Apple season has come into full swing for produce departments across the U.S. and made up 6.2 percent of total produce department sales over the last 12 weeks.

U.S. Apple report: Fresh apples in storage down 14% from five-year average
U.S. Apple report: Fresh apples in storage down 14% from five-year average

The first apple storage report of the season shows U.S. fresh apple inventories were 7.1% below year-ago levels as of Nov. 1.

Washington apple crop downsized by 5% in November estimate
Washington apple crop downsized by 5% in November estimate

With most of the 2021 apple crop now harvested and in storage, Washington apple shippers have lowered their estimate of the state’s fresh apple volume by 5.3% compared with an earlier estimate.

Cosmic Crisp apple packing begins
Cosmic Crisp apple packing begins

Nov. 4 marked the first day of Cosmic Crisp® apple packing for the 2021-2022 season.

Sage Fruit again partners with Apeel Sciences for organic apples
Sage Fruit again partners with Apeel Sciences for organic apples

Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. will again partner with Apeel Sciences to treat its organic apples, said Chuck Sinks, Sage Fruit president of sales and marketing.

Donations to Washington Apple Education Foundation matched in November
Donations to Washington Apple Education Foundation matched in November

Donations made to the Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) will be matched this month thanks to the generosity of three tree fruit industry companies.

Arctic apple developer celebrating 25 years
Arctic apple developer celebrating 25 years

Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), the developer and grower behind the innovative Arctic® apple varieties, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.

European Jazz apple season gearing up
European Jazz apple season gearing up

New season JAZZ™ apples are expected to arrive in various European supermarkets this week, and T&G Global says the crop is impressive, with a rich colour and refreshingly tangy- sweet taste. 

Strong Pazazz crop expected
Strong Pazazz crop expected

Pazazz is a premium apple hit for its bursting flavor, great texture and season long availability, but that’s never been truer than this year.

The Apple Truck signs University of Michigan football player to promote its brand and Michigan apples
The Apple Truck signs University of Michigan football player to promote its brand and Michigan apples

The Apple Truck, which brings fresh, crisp Michigan apples on tour, has announced that it has signed University of Michigan freshman football player Peter Simmons III to represent its brand.

Envy apples celebrate success in U.S. market
Envy apples celebrate success in U.S. market

New Zealand Trade Commissioner, Los Angeles, Haylon Smith, and supermodel and actress, Rachel Hunter, recently joined T&G Global in Los Angeles to celebrate the Envy apple brand’s success in the North American market.

BelleHarvest celebrates apple harvest with curious pairings event
BelleHarvest celebrates apple harvest with curious pairings event

BelleHarvest, a grower-owned distributor of fresh apples in Michigan celebrated National Apple Month with a Curious Pairings event in Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday, October 16. 

Stemilt’s Nostalgia Marketing Golden Raves Campaign Huge Success
Stemilt’s Nostalgia Marketing Golden Raves Campaign Huge Success

Stemilt’s dive into nostalgia marketing paid off during their most recent campaign around their signature variety, Rave® brand MN55 cultivar apples.

Starr Ranch Growers veteran Scott Marboe retires
Starr Ranch Growers veteran Scott Marboe retires

This October marks not only the start of Starr Ranch Growers Harvest Season but also brings the announcement of the retirement of long time Director of Marketing, Scott Marboe.

Fuel Up to Play 60 and Chelan Fresh deliver millions of student meals
Fuel Up to Play 60 and Chelan Fresh deliver millions of student meals

For the first time in over a year, many students will be back in school buildings, navigating a new normal.

USDA: growers on watch for long-term effect of heat on fruit
USDA: growers on watch for long-term effect of heat on fruit

The summer heat in the Northwest has added some uncertainty to the longer-term quality outlook for apples, while the 2021-22 U.S. citrus output is expected even lower than last season’s modest crop.

Starr Ranch Growers welcomes fall with Fair Trade certification
Starr Ranch Growers welcomes fall with Fair Trade certification

Starr Ranch Growers is greeting fall apple harvest with new Fair Trade USA Authorization.

USApple launches 2021-22 Apples4Ed grant program
USApple launches 2021-22 Apples4Ed grant program

The U.S. Apple Association has launched its 2021-22 Apples4Ed initiative—a grant program that supports healthy eating initiatives in public schools across the United States.

JAZZ apple offers a healthier twist for Halloween 
JAZZ apple offers a healthier twist for Halloween 

With Halloween just over a month away, T&G Global today launched a new marketing campaign to showcase their premium JAZZ™ apple as the hero of Halloween. 

USDA deregulates Arctic Gala
USDA deregulates Arctic Gala

The USDA is extending deregulation to an apple variety, designated as PG451 Arctic Gala, developed using genetic engineering to prevent browning by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc. (OSF).

Stemilt touts Artisan Organics Honeycrisp apples
Stemilt touts Artisan Organics Honeycrisp apples

Stemilt’s World Famous Honeycrisp apples consumers across the globe have come to know and love are back and available organically under the Artisan Organics™ brand.

SweeTango launches big return
SweeTango launches big return

The SweeTango apple harvest is in full swing, and growers with Next Big Thing, A Growers’ Cooperative are encouraging food retailers to stock up now.

Eastern apple growers weather challenges, mark successes
Eastern apple growers weather challenges, mark successes

Like many produce companies, Rice Fruit’s staff felt the unprecedented challenge and stress to daily life that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. apple exports slip slightly in 2020-21
U.S. apple exports slip slightly in 2020-21

The value of U.S. apple exports dipped slightly in the year ending June 2021, but some export destinations saw big gains.

Cosmic Crisp a rising star for Washington growers
Cosmic Crisp a rising star for Washington growers

Washington’s Cosmic Crisp apples are on the rise.

Despite heat, Washington crop expected similar to last year
Despite heat, Washington crop expected similar to last year

With a run of triple-degree temperatures in midsummer, Washington apple growers have seen their challenges for 2021.

Eastern apple crop is snapping to it in 2021
Eastern apple crop is snapping to it in 2021

At least it’s better than last year: That’s the sentiment felt across East Coast apple orchards and packing houses, in more ways than one.

Armand Lobato
Goodbye summer, hello fall in the produce aisle

Fall is all about the harvest bounty — bubbling hot jonathan apple pies adorned with sugary laced lattice tops, jack-o-lantern pumpkins, ornamental gourds, sweet fall grapes, hard squash and crunchy apples.

Arctic apples sampled in San Francisco
Arctic apples sampled in San Francisco

Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF), developer and grower behind the Arctic® apple varieties, recently launched a sampling event in the San Francisco Bay area with huge success.

USApple: Many apple businesses will be left out of COVID-19 assistance Program
USApple: Many apple businesses will be left out of COVID-19 assistance Program

Many U.S. apple businesses won’t qualify for critical COVID-relief assistance that was announced today by the Agriculture Department, said the U.S. Apple Association.

Fresh Innovations California to exhibit premium organic sliced apple products
Fresh Innovations California to exhibit premium organic sliced apple products

Fresh Innovations California, LLC is getting ready to make a sweet splash at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, California on September 16th.

‘Is it JAZZ™ time yet?’ goes global
‘Is it JAZZ™ time yet?’ goes global

Following the recent refresh of one of its premium apple brands - JAZZ - T&G Global has launched the brand’s first global marketing campaign.

Envy Apples named “Best in Produce” in annual list of Kitchn Essentials
Envy Apples named “Best in Produce” in annual list of Kitchn Essentials

What do Envy™ apples have in common with other favorite grocery brands like Heinz Ketchup, Cheerios, Cholula, and Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey?

H-2A program helps growers navigate labor shortage
H-2A program helps growers navigate labor shortage

The best outcomes for pear and apple harvest may go to growers who have the best access for H-2A labor.

Hazel Tech Innovations Impact North American Apple Season from Coast to Coast
Hazel Tech Innovations Impact North American Apple Season from Coast to Coast

Hazel Technologies' flagship product, Hazel 100, takes an innovative approach to a technology the apple industry has used for the last 20 years and companies across the apple supply chain are taking notice.

Salix Fruits begins export of Washington apples, considers the impact of heat
Salix Fruits begins export of Washington apples, considers the impact of heat

Climate change is increasing episodes of extreme temperatures around the world.

Growers should tell sustainability story
Growers should tell sustainability story

CHICAGO — Apple growers should move now to tell their sustainability stories, Bruce Knight thinks.

U.S. Apple elects Chris Alpers board chair for 2021-22 term
U.S. Apple elects Chris Alpers board chair for 2021-22 term

The U.S. Apple Association has named a new chair to lead its board of directors.

U.S. Apple estimate slices forecast for Washington apples
U.S. Apple estimate slices forecast for Washington apples

Cutting the Washington state apple forecast by nearly 11% from USDA's August estimate, the U.S. Apple Association's forecast of the U.S. crop reveals a big divergence in expectations between the two estimates.

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.

Stemilt Welcomes Vivian Page as Vice President of Human Capital
Stemilt Welcomes Vivian Page as Vice President of Human Capital

Stemilt is pleased to announce Vivian Page as its new Vice President of Human Capital.

U.S. Apple launches new in-depth apple report
U.S. Apple launches new in-depth apple report

CHICAGO - Touching hot-button issues from variety trends to labor, a new 34-page report from the U.S. Apple Association offers a deep data dive into all things apple.

Apples from New York has high-energy promotion plans
Apples from New York has high-energy promotion plans

The New York Apple Association is hitting promotions hard this season in these ways.

Applewood Fresh growers gear up for Michigan apple season
Applewood Fresh growers gear up for Michigan apple season

Applewood Fresh, a premier produce brand and fourth-generation grower, packer/shipper and marketer of Michigan-grown apples is counting down the days to the start of their flavorful harvest.