WENATCHEE, Wash. – Just like other summer crops in the Northwest, peak season for Stemilt’s industry-leading crop of apricots has arrived earlier than normal. The peak shipping period for Stemilt’s Washington-grown cots will run through July 15th, which is about 10 days ahead of normal timing. Stemilt has a large organic apricot presence that provides retailers with a great point of differentiation to boost their stone fruit and organic categories during July, a busy month at retail.
“Early is the theme this summer in Washington State, and our organic apricots are no exception. Sixty-five percent of our apricots are grown and certified as organic,” said Stemilt marketing director Roger Pepperl. “Our Artisan Organics cot program is based around delivering fruit with dessert flavors. The natural farming practices used in organic farming combines with warm days and cool nights that are common at our southcentral Washington growing locales to produce organic apricots with deeper hues and complex flavors and textures.”
Stemilt is currently harvesting its main apricot varieties, Rival and Perfection, both of which are peaking on jumbo sizes and delivering high flavors for consumers to enjoy. The company packs organic apricots under its Artisan Organics label.
“Consumer demand for organic fruits is at an all-time high, and our organic apricots offer retailers with a special summer item to bring in and sell out. Increasing display space and highlighting the dessert flavors of our Artisan Organics apricots during this peak season are great ways to appeal to consumers, and bring more dollars to your produce department,” said Pepperl.
Stemilt packs the majority of its jumbo-sized apricots in panta packs, which makes for easy-to-build displays at retail, Pepperl added. The company also packs apricots in high-graphic 1.6 lb. pouch bags and 1lb. clamshells for capturing impulse sales and offering consumers a grab-and-go solution.
Another merchandising strategy that Pepperl recommends to retailers is to promote the grower of apricots through in-store signage and digital and social media.
“Organic consumers care how their food is grown and want to know who it is grown by. Our apricots come primarily from the Douglas family, a multi-generational farming family that has farmed organically for nearly a decade and works diligently to harvest tree-ripened, flavorful fruit. Their story is worth sharing, and extra attention through signage and messaging the peak season of apricots through digital programs like email or social media, are ideal ways to capture impulse sales,” said Pepperl.
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About Stemilt
Stemilt Growers is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is the leading shipper of sweet cherries and one of the nation’s largest suppliers of organic tree fruits. Stemilt has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program. For more information about Stemilt, visit www.stemilt.com and follow Stemilt on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and You Tube.
Source: Stemilt