Opal Apples In Stores Pt 3
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. Always in search of the perfect apple, Washington growers and growers from around the country continue expanding the varieties they offer.
One variety that’s gaining in popularity is First Fruits’ Opal apple which is coming off the trees as we speak …
ZEUTENHORST … “Right, so that’s just beginning now. That’s been a little bit of a change in our direction on the marketing side. But, yeah, that’s just beginning right now. So, the apple is just now going into the box and its just now getting into retail. So, it will take a few weeks and then you’ll see it across the United States
in most retailers.”
First Fruit Marketing president Chuck Zeutenhorst says the
Opal is what their “Crave the Crunch” promotional campaign is all about …
ZEUTENHORST … “Everybody in our organization is constantly advertising the variety, but it is interesting even today, after 10 years how many people are unaware of the variety. So, we’re going to keep pushing, but more importantly it’s got an incredible future. We’re going to grow more and plant more and market more and get consumers to enjoy it because it’s that good.”
So, it should be in the stores very soon? …
ZEUTENHORST … “Absolutely, that’s absolutely correct. So, at this point in time we have not taken the apple to a 12-month variety. It has the potential for that, so our marketing plans, right now, run about 10-months, but it certainly has the potential to be a 12-month apple very, very soon.”
So, if you’re an apple lover, and if you haven’t tried the crunchy, yellow Opal apple, you owe it to yourself. If you have tried, get ready, they’re coming very soon.
