Crunch Time Apple Growers’ increasingly popular RubyFrost apples have successfully ended their season, with retail partners selling out of the last of the 2016 harvest.
Mark Russell, RubyFrost grower and head of Crunch Time’s Marketing Committee noted that grower members are very pleased with retail performance. “We were able to supply more stores due to our increased crop size and our retail partners answered with strong re-orders resulting in a quick season end”. According to Russell, “the quality of the RubyFrost crop this year was excellent, living up to its’ expectations. This variety has developed a reputation for its ‘ruby’ red color, delicate balance of sweet and tart flavor, and of course its crispness”.
In-store demos were a large focus of the RubyFrost marketing plan with samplings offered to consumers at retailers across the nation. A partnership with Cabot Creamery at a retail chain in the Midwest allowed RubyFrost apples to be paired with Cabot specialty cheeses. Robin Leous, Crunch Time’s business manager, reported that both consumers and demo stores responded very favorably to the in-store samplings with demo stores reporting sales increases as a result. Crunch Time’s marketing plan also included ad incentives and digital coupons to increase consumer awareness and add to RubyFrost’s growing list of consumer and retail fans.
“This apple has incredible consumer and retail demand, and we look forward to continuing that momentum next season as even more fruit becomes available,” said Crunch Time’s Russell. Created by the apple experts at Cornell University, RubyFrost is grown only by Crunch Time Apple Growers to exacting standards to ensure consumers have a great eating experience. Crunch Time’s 145 apple growers located throughout New York state began planting their orchards in 2011; with the first RubyFrost arriving in supermarkets in 2013. Production has been increasing rapidly from year to year, as new orchards mature and bear more fruit.
Contact:
Robin Leous
Crunch Time Apple Growers
Tel: 585-478-4288