Oct 18, 2023

Stemilt showcases apples, pears at IFPA Show

Stemilt will feature unique and new varieties of apples and pears at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show.

The Global Produce & Floral Show is Oct. 19-21 in Anaheim, California.

Setting the stage for apple season, Stemilt will bring a new crop of opportunities to its booth (No. 2847), with a new lineup of Artisan Organics sustainable apple packs, Aura and Kissabel apples, and a pear with especially happy attributes. The tree fruit grower encourages visitors to sample its new apple and pear varieties while being amazed by magician David Harris.

“We can’t wait to share with retailers the strategic growth that has come to light with this year’s crop of apples and pears, and Stemilt specifically,” Stemilt marketing director, Brianna Shales, said in a news release. “Volume is up and we’re growing more club varieties and organics. We’re looking forward to the many opportunities this crop will bring for retailers and to partner with them to find success together.”

As retailers explore the Stemilt booth, they’ll find new items to position them for success during this year’s quality crop of apples and pears. As organics climb in volume this year, a new Stemilt sustainable package, called the EZ Band, is designed for bulk organic apples to help capture ring at the register and move organic volume in a convenient pack. A whole new lineup of Artisan Organics apples are now available in the EZ Band, including core varieties such as Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and Granny Smith, along with club apples like SweeTango and Cosmic Crisp.”

The EZ Band pack will be featured in the Fresh Ideas Showcase at the IFPA show, as a sustainable package.

“We feel the EZ Band is going to be the season’s superhero for selling bulk organic apples in stores and online,” Shales said in the release. “What’s great about the EZ Band is it ensures organic ring at the register in one scannable unit and appeals to the organic shopper with 100% paper-board packaging. It’s easy to stock, easy to shop and helps retailers secure their organic dollars while reducing some of the labor involved.”

Lil Snappers pouch bags are another convenient item to offer in the organic category for consumers, she said, and Artisan Organics Lil Snappers are ideal for parents to grab and go, or for anyone who enjoys a smaller piece of fruit.

Happi Pear, a green pear with a signature red blush that is best eaten when green or yellow, will also be available for sampling. The Pear is grown in Washington.

“Happi Pear is all about offering consumers a different pear eating experience with its unexpected bite,” Shales said in the release. “We’re just getting started with Happi Pear, so retailers can position it as a new, special treat for consumers to try if they find it.”

The Fresh Ideas Showcase also will feature Aura apples, a Stemilt exclusive variety that is a natural cross of a Honeycrisp and Aurora apple. It brings a new yellow apple eating experience to the table with a burst of honey and melon flavors.

“We subtly introduced Aura last year at (the IFPA show) and heard great things about its flavor and crispness, which is unique in the yellow apple world,” Shales said in the release. “We also have red-fleshed apples, called Kissabel, to share at the show during their limited availability in October.”

Magician David Harris will bring Stemilt varieties to light in a way visitors may not have seen before. Stemilt will show a video ahead of the highly anticipated State of the Industry address by Cathy Burns. The video shares the company’s passion for producing World Famous Fruit with freshness at the forefront of every step. 

“Stemilt is centered around freshness, flavor and quality for World Famous Fruit, and that’s what we hope to share this year at GPFS with retailers,” said Shales. “While we’re bringing new items to the table, this has all been part of the plan for years to come and we’re excited to see it come to fruition in this year’s crop.”