“We’re getting that nice ‘SweeTango’ background that is indicative of high sugars,” Austin Fowler of Fowler Farms said, adding that the Eastern region expects to have more fruit this season. Growers in all regions are reporting that this year’s fruit quality is outstanding, and color is up despite localized weather challenges, according to Scott Swindeman with Applewood Fresh. We couldn’t get trucks on the road fast enough to fill demand,” he said. “This year has been the quickest we’ve gotten out of the gates, ever. The season is already off to a fast start, according to Dennis MacPherson of Scotian Gold.
RUBY RED FROST APPLE SKIN
The skin is smooth, semi-thick, and glossy with a yellow-green base. “So, this year, retailers won’t want to wait to get in on the action.” RubyFrost apples are medium to large fruits with a somewhat uniform, round shape. “’SweeTango’ was the top-selling club apple from late September through the end of October last fall, in both dollars and volume sold – by far,” Brianna Shales, Marketing Director with Stemilt Growers, said. With regard to ‘SweeTango’, growers cooperative Next Big Thing (NBT) is encouraging retailers to stock up in anticipation of the club variety’s perennial fall sales wave. Its East Coast roots provide the variety a competitive advantage over West Coast premium apples: cost-effective transportation to primary selling regions, greater freshness, quality, and, ultimately, lower shelf prices. Brown strategically developed the apple - creating a tart flavor profile appealing to about 30% of consumers, a versatile apple perfect for cooking, baking, and topping salads and naturally non-browning due to high vitamin C. Susan Brown of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, ‘RubyFrost’ is grown commercially in Upstate New York. “The brand refresh is exactly what we needed to spotlight the appeal of ‘RubyFrost’ to tart apple lovers for the 2021-22 season, and beyond.”ĭeveloped, nurtured, and bred by Dr. Orchards and Crunch Time Apple Growers’ board chair, said.
RUBY RED FROST APPLE FULL
“(‘RubyFrost’) combines sugar and acidity to offer a beautifully sweet but tart flavor profile that’s packed full of vitamin C, so it doesn’t brown quickly,” Joel Crist, a fifth-generation farmer with Crist Bros.
The new packers and shippers will allow Crunch Time Apple Growers to expand its geographic reach among existing grocers and new retail partners, particularly in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.
Crunch Time will be expanding its distribution reach this harvest season with three new sales partners: Applewood Fresh Growers, Rice Fruit Co., and Riveridge Produce Marketing.