US: Opal apples arriving one month earlier this year

Opal apples will be arriving one month earlier this year, just in time for the holiday season. Opal and FirstFruits Marketing will be marketing the apples with the slogan, “taste the difference, make a difference” and will be donating a portion of all Opal apple sales to charity through its Youth Make a Difference Initiative.

Grown in Washington, Opal apples are sold exclusively in North America by FirstFruits Marketing. The apple is a cross between Topaz and Golden Delicious. The flavour is sweet to start with a tart finish, crunchy and is highly resistant to oxidation making it less likely to brown.

This year a focus on social media and public relations efforts will be supplemented by retailer demos and local events to get the apples in consumers’ hands. In-home Opal parties and relationships with brand ambassadors and bloggers will allow consumers to not only taste the apple but also learn about how they can help make a difference through the purchase of the apple.

Opal has teamed with ChopChop Magazine, the award-winning non-profit cooking magazine for kids 5-12. ChopChop founder Sally Sampson will join Opal at local events, demonstrating simple, kid-friendly recipes highlighting Opal apples.

Through the Opal Youth Make a Difference Initiative, FirstFruits is looking to provide funding for small, grassroots organizations surrounding youth-led food and agricultural issues. The initiative asks the fans of Opal® apples to nominate worthy organizations that need support. Nominees are run through a stringent set of criteria, and final awards are based on consumer votes of top nominations. Last season the Opal Youth Make a Difference Initiative provided funding for five projects in addition to Katie’s Krops.

For more information:
Lisa Friedrich
Golden Sun Marketing
Tel: +1 612.225.1671
Email: lisa@goldensunmarketing.com
goldensunmarketing.com
www.opalapples.com