The Chilean Citrus Committee recently partnered with 99 Ranch Market on their Culinary Adventure Program. Designed to engage with future shoppers, the program teaches children important skills, such as food preparation and food safety.
During the Chilean Citrus cooking class, the chefs in training made a Chilean Mandarin Jelly Roll with an Orange Dipping Sauce. They also received Chilean fruit activity booklets and a free apron.
Karen Brux, Managing Director for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) commented, “Kids cooking classes are a wonderful opportunity for us to get kids excited about and engaged with our fruit. They develop an appreciation for healthy food and also take away skills that they can build on throughout their lives.”
99 Ranch Market agrees. As the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States (46 locations in California, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Oregon and New Jersey) they recently started offering the Tawa Culinary Adventure program in four locations.
A spokesperson for 99 Ranch states, “Eating fruits like Chilean Mandarins provides numerous health benefits. We’re happy to be teaching our little chefs how to cook dishes that are not only tasty, but also incredibly healthy.”
While overlooked by many marketers, the Asian market is a powerful one. From 2009-2014, the Asian-American population grew 25%. U.S. Census projections show the Asian-American population will reach 25.7 million by 2019, with their buying power reaching $1.1 trillion–or 6.7% of total U.S. buying power—by 2020.
The Chilean Citrus season will continue through October, with mandarins the main focus. Chilean mandarin volume shipped to North America through Week 35 exceeded 52,000 tons, an 84% increase over same time last year.
For more information: