Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers has a new series of online courses designed to help retailers educate their produce teams about apples and cherries.
The online program is an extension of Stemilt’s longtime in-person training program, according to a news release.
“In a perfect world, we would love to have every produce manager, buyer and category manager out to our farms to experience everything first-hand,” senior marketing manager Brianna Shales said in the release. “But since that is not a realistic expectation, yet we have so much good content to share, we felt this was the next best thing.”
The new online courses aim to give retail professionals a better understanding of how apples and cherries are grown, harvested and packed, and the courses provide answers to questions often asked by consumers.
Traditionally, industry members who visited Stemilt for training would receive a textbook, but now the online courses provide the information in six four-minute videos per commodity.
“Video is the way that everyone is getting their information in today’s world,” Shales said. “Stemilt University: Online makes continuing education easy with short, easy-to-digest videos. After watching these videos, students will feel like they are part of the Stemilt family and can represent our brands with their best foot forward.”
The courses on apples and cherries are available now, and courses on pears and stone fruit are slated for the future.
After watching the videos, industry members will be prompted to take a 15-question quiz. If they pass with a 70% or better, they will receive a certificate that can be printed or shared to a LinkedIn profile.
“The whole purpose of this online education course is to ensure our retailers have the tools they need to be successful on the floor,” Shales said. “Anyone who is working with our product and the consumer becomes an instant brand ambassador, and we want them to feel confident in what they’re selling. We hope that all students who enroll leave feeling like they’ve accomplished something and are inspired to use it.”