Oct 6, 2021

New marketing agreement for SnapDragon and RubyFrost apples

Crunch Time Apple Growers, the collective of growers responsible for SnapDragon and RubyFrost apples, has granted two Michigan-based apple packaging, shipping and marketing facilities – Applewood Fresh Growers LLC and Riveridge Produce Marketing,Inc. – license to market both varieties of apples effective immediately.

Applewood Fresh Growers LLC is a grower, packer, shipper and marketer located in Sparta, MI with roots dating back to 1935.

“We are excited to be a part of Crunch Time Apple Growers,” Brian Coates, vice-president sales and business development, Applewood Fresh Growers, said in a news release. “SnapDragon and RubyFrost are both valuable contributors to the emerging varieties of apples that are focused on delivering outstanding flavor and quality to drive sales growth in the apple category. We are thrilled to be included in this group of apple marketers and to make these apples available to our customers.”

Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. is a vertically integrated apple grower, packer, shipper and marketer founded more than 30 years ago in an apple-growing region known as “The Ridge” in West Michigan. The company has significant developments in food safety, new orchard technology and innovation in sales and marketing.

“The opportunity to market SnapDragon and RubyFrost expands the Riveridge portfolio of apples, giving our buyers another great-tasting apple for their lineup,” said Kari Soldaat, director of sales, Riveridge Produce Marketing. “Crunch Time Apple Growers is investing in strategies to grow and market these varieties and we look forward to sharing our experience and knowledge to help build upon its success.”

Retailers beyond the Northeast region are requesting to offer SnapDragon and RubyFrost apples to their customers, and these new partnerships help Crunch Time answer the call. Crunch Time will be able to expand its geographic reach among new and existing retail partners, particularly in the Midwest, getting the apples into the hands of more consumers on a consistent basis.

“Crunch Time is excited about the addition of new sales partners this season with Applewood Fresh Growers LLC and Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. being the most recent additions to our team,” said Jessica Wells, executive director, Crunch Time Apple Growers. “The real winners of these partnerships are our consumers, as the result will be SnapDragon and RubyFrost apples being in retailers where they weren’t before.”

Crunch Time Ruby Frost apples. Photo: Crunch Time