Stemilt Growers will launch Cosmic Crisp apples as a year-round variety on Dec. 1, amid a smaller national apple crop.
“We have a lighter apple crop in Washington State this year, so it's exciting to have a growing variety like Cosmic Crisp that has superior flavors and traits,” Brianna Shales, Stemilt marketing director, said in a news release. “Many Cosmic Crisp orchards are coming into production, including organic production, this year. We will increase our organic supply by about 120% and 77% for conventional.”
Along with year-round Cosmic Crisp availability offering retailers more opportunity in the apple category, organic Cosmic Crisp will also have a longer season than prior years following the early December launch. The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company also will debut a sustainable package, the EZ Band.
The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company will debut a sustainable package, the EZ Band. Photo: Courtesy of Stemilt Growers
“It's exciting to hit the threshold of supplying Cosmic Crisp all year long here on out,” Shales said in the release. “The EZ Band is being introduced for conventional and organic large-sized Cosmic Crisp apples this year and can help provide a sustainable packaging solution to drive sales of Cosmic Crisp. It's a UPC item that's sold off the count which drives purchase size to ensure you catch organic ring and doesn't shrink the item.”
The apple is poised for promotions this season and can become a part of the everyday apple mix because of pent-up demand for the Cosmic Crisp crop from both retailers and consumers, according to the release. Cosmic Crisp is expected to break into the Top 10 apples this year due to volume, but consumers still need to be educated on the apple through regular promotions, according to Stemilt.
“During a crop that has tighter volumes on key varieties, now is an especially good time to highlight the traits of Cosmic Crisp,” Shales said in the release. “Build those big bulk fruit displays with Cosmic Crisp's boxes and use the EZ Band bags to offer options for the grab-and-go shopper. We're here to help set up promotions and connect retailers with resources for the brand because we're excited for the success of the variety as well.”
With proper storage techniques for the best quality possible, Cosmic Crisp can be enjoyed by consumers all year long.
“Stemilt has been at this for a long time to ensure that quality comes first with this fruit, that's the only way we we're going to drive demand and a good eating experience,” Shales said in the release. “We've developed some good practices for harvesting, storing, and packing the fruit, so we feel really confident in the quality.”