Introduced in 1911 in South Dakota, the Bubblegum Plum is an excellent pollinator for other plums and is commonly introduced to orchard plots to increase pollination. More commonly known as the Toka, the small to medium sized plum is hardy, colorful and flavorful. However, they were not a customer favorite. “The Toka plums were useful, but they weren’t selling,” explains Paul Friday, owner of Flamin’ Fury Peaches. “They have a small size which makes them unpopular.” Customers noticed unique flavor
Friday started giving free samples of his Toka plums at a Michigan Farmer’s Market, and selling the fruit for $5 a pint. Along with the sweet taste, customers were complimenting him on a specific flavor. “We had several customers separately approach us and say that the plums had the essence and flavor of bubblegum,” adds Friday.
After trademark sales increased
Friday took notice of the consumer comments, and registered Bubblegum Plum as the trademark of his plums. Sales of Friday’s plums increased 20 fold once he started marketing them as Bubblegum Plums. “I have 37 different varieties of peaches under the Flamin’ Fury label, but Bubblegum Plum is the best marketing decision I’ve made,” states Friday, “When we sell our Bubblegum Plums for growing and breeding purposes, we charge an extra dollar for the trademark. It increases sales at least by 10 times because the name appeals to consumers and their children.” In the future, Friday hopes to partner with a jam or jelly manufacturer to market and sell Bubblegum plum preserves.
Prices greatly increased
Bubblegum Plums come into season in August, however Friday’s customers are asking for them as soon as spring begins. California’s Toka plum crop usually begins three weeks earlier, but storage plums are sold during the winter causing no real gap availability. A 20lb box of plums is usually priced at $20 wholesale; however Bubblegum plums have raised the cost to $50 as demand exceeds supply.
For more information please contact:
Paul Friday
Owner
Flamin’ Fury Peaches
269.208.4329
peach@qtm.net
www.flaminfury.com