News
Strong sales growth for Ambrosia Gold® apples
In its latest CatStats report released Jan. 31, CMI said Ambrosia sales increased 296.8% from the previous year, which was the highest percent change of any apple in the top 10.
Ambrosia Gold apples experienced significant retail sales growth in 2022, says CMI Orchards.
In its latest CatStats report released Jan. 31, the Wenatchee, Wash.-based company said that Ambrosia sales increased 296.8% from the previous year, which was the highest percent change of any apple in the top 10, based on Nielsen 13-week scan data ending Dec. 31, 2022, according to CMI Senior Marketing Manager Danelle Huber.
“Consumers show us time over time that cost is not an issue for them when it comes to Ambrosia Gold, even when faced with extenuating economic factors, like inflation,” Huber said in a news release. “Retailers that keep this apple on their shelves hold, and even increase, category sales without needing to compromise on pricing.”
The apple’s broad appeal, exceptional shelf life and consistent eating experience across the board has made Ambrosia Gold a mainstay on U.S. retail shelves, Huber said in the release.
Ambrosia continues to hold a top 3 spot nationally among branded apples, the company said. With high promotable volume in both conventional and organic options available year-round, CMI offers to share strategies on how retailers can capitalize on the apple’s success, according to the release.
“Ambrosia Gold ranks 9th for all conventional and branded apples in the USA, in both sales and volume,” Rochelle Bohm, CMI’s vice president of marketing, said in the release. “CMI’s promotable volume and year-round availability of this in-demand apple make it a necessity for retail shelves.”
CMI supplies 49.47% of the 13,141 stores selling Ambrosia apples and reporting to Nielsen selling Ambrosia, according to the release. Bohm said that demonstrates CMI’s methodology of being a one-stop shop for its retail customers and a go-to source for Ambrosia apples.
“Best-in-class retailers recognize Ambrosia as a must-have and make room on the shelf for this top-performing apple by reducing repetitive core variety SKU’s and placing Ambrosia Gold,” Bohm said in the release. “As more branded apples enter the market, shelf space will continue to get tougher and tougher to secure, but Ambrosia Gold’s gorgeous bi-coloring serves as both an eye-catcher and a color break in displays. Retailers can reap the rewards of strong sales with the high-velocity sales performance of Ambrosia.”
CMI Press Release from The Packer
CMI Orchards Touts Sales of Ambrosia
CMI Orchards has announced that Ambrosia apples are dominating sales in the Southern Region, with strong sales reported throughout the rest of the United States. Ambrosia held the second-highest position in the Midwest region, third in the Northwest, and fifth in the Western region.
CMI Orchards has announced that Ambrosia apples are dominating sales in the Southern Region, with strong sales reported throughout the rest of the United States.
According to Nielsen Answers on Demand, over the past 52 weeks of data through January 2, 2021, Ambrosia held the top sales position in the Southern region, accounting for 24.7% of all apple sales. This represents a growth of 4.3% for the apple. The Southern region includes Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Virginia, and Kentucky.
Ambrosia held the second-highest position in the Midwest region, third in the Northwest, and fifth in the Western region. CMI Orchards grows six of the best-selling branded apples in each region and is the largest grower of Ambrosia apples in the U.S.A., branding the popular apple as “Ambrosia Gold®: The Gold Standard of Ambrosia Apples®”.
“These sales numbers provide a feel for which varieties are preferred in different regions. Sales and apple usage are often tied to a region’s culture, food preferences, health characteristics, and cooking styles,” explained CMI Orchards Marketing Specialist Danelle Huber.
CMI Orchards held the exclusive growing rights for Ambrosia apples for over a decade, and once the varietal opened up in 2017, CMI established Ambrosia Gold® as a recognizable mark of quality differentiation. One of CMI’s owners, the McDougall Family, has spent years perfecting the growing, storage, and packing of this amazing, delicious apple.
“Growing Ambrosia apples is a very defined art and very strict guidelines must be followed for harvesting Ambrosia at the exact optimal time to ensure that the apples have the amazing flavor and texture consumers have come to know and love. Since CMI has so few growers growing Ambrosia Gold®, we are able to closely monitor quality and enforce the strict guidelines and protocols. Now that Ambrosia planting has opened up to all growers, we are starting to see other Ambrosia apples enter the marketplace with variability in quality and taste. Consumers are beginning to see a notable difference in the quality and consistency of fruit available on retail shelves and now actually ask for Ambrosia Gold® specifically by name,” explained CMI Orchards President Bob Mast.
Ambrosia cracked the top 10 apple varieties in 2015, then exclusive to CMI Orchards, and quickly became the branded apple to beat. Being one of the first proprietary varieties to market, consumers were excited to try something new and strong sales numbers quickly showed the apple’s popularity.
“In the CMI Orchards’ apple product line, Ambrosia Gold® is consistently one of the top varieties asked for by consumers. It’s become a mainstay apple on retailer shelves, and because CMI’s owner group, the McDougall family, earned the exclusive rights to grow and market Ambrosia apples in the U.S. and introduced it to the market, customers know they have perfected the Ambrosia apple,” explained CMI Vice President of Marketing George Harter.
CMI Press Release from The Packer
CMI Orchards Announces Sales of Ambrosia Dominating the Southern Region, Strong Sales Throughout United States
Now is the perfect time to send apple category sales soaring, as Ambrosia apples are once again proving to be a shopper favorite. CMI Orchards' Ambrosia Gold® apples are drawing in consumers everywhere—a product of the years of work put into developing the delicious apple.
Now is the perfect time to send apple category sales soaring, as Ambrosia apples are once again proving to be a shopper favorite. CMI Orchards' Ambrosia Gold® apples are drawing in consumers everywhere—a product of the years of work put into developing the delicious apple.
“Growing Ambrosia apples is a very defined art, and very strict guidelines must be followed for harvesting Ambrosia at the exact optimal time to ensure that the apples have the amazing flavor and texture consumers have come to know and love,” said President Bob Mast. “Since CMI has so few growers growing Ambrosia Gold, we are able to closely monitor quality and enforce the strict guidelines and protocols. Now that Ambrosia planting has opened up to all growers, we are starting to see other Ambrosia apples enter the marketplace with variability in quality and taste. Consumers are beginning to see a notable difference in the quality and consistency of fruit available on retail shelves and now actually ask for Ambrosia Gold specifically by name.”
Ambrosia apples are dominating sales in the southern region, according to a company release, and also seeing strong sales throughout the rest of the United States.
According to Nielsen Answers on Demand, Ambrosia apples accounted for 24.7 percent of all apple sales across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, and Kentucky over the past 52 weeks of data through January 2, 2021, representing a growth of 4.3 percent for the variety.
“These sales numbers provide a feel for which varieties are preferred in different regions. Sales and apple usage are often tied to a region’s culture, food preferences, health characteristics, and cooking styles,” Marketing Specialist Danelle Huber explained.
In the Midwest region, Ambrosia apples held the second-highest position, as well as the third highest in the Northwest, and fifth in the Western region. CMI Orchards held exclusive growing rights for these delicious apples for over 10 years before the variety opened up in 2017, the release noted, after which the company established its popular Ambrosia Gold as a mark of differentiation amongst the category.
In the Midwest region, Ambrosia apples held the second-highest position, as well as the third highest in the Northwest, and fifth in the Western region. CMI Orchards held exclusive growing rights for these delicious apples for over 10 years before the variety opened up in 2017, the release noted, after which the company established its popular Ambrosia Gold as a mark of differentiation amongst the category.
In the Midwest region, Ambrosia apples held the second-highest position, as well as the third highest in the Northwest, and fifth in the Western region. CMI Orchards held exclusive growing rights for these delicious apples for over 10 years before the variety opened up in 2017, the release noted, after which the company established its popular Ambrosia Gold as a mark of differentiation amongst the category.
Article by Peggy Packer, And Now U Know
Ambrosia sales dominate in the South, strong nationally
Ambrosia apples are dominating sales in the Southern Region, with strong sales reported throughout the rest of the United States.
CMI Orchards announced that Ambrosia apples are dominating sales in the Southern Region, with strong sales reported throughout the rest of the United States.
According to Nielsen Answers on Demand, over the past 52 weeks of data through Jan. 2, Ambrosia held the top sales position in the Southern region, accounting for 24.7 percent of all apple sales. This represents a growth of 4.3 percent for the apple. The Southern region includes Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia and Kentucky.
Ambrosia held the second-highest position in the Midwest region, third in the Northwest, and fifth in the Western region. CMI Orchards grows six of the best-selling branded apples in each region and is the largest grower of Ambrosia apples in the U.S., branding the popular apple as “Ambrosia Gold: The Gold Standard of Ambrosia Apples.”
“These sales numbers provide a feel for which varieties are preferred in different regions. Sales and apple usage are often tied to a region’s culture, food preferences, health characteristics, and cooking styles,” said CMI Orchards Marketing Specialist Danelle Huber.
CMI Orchards held the exclusive growing rights for Ambrosia apples for over a decade, and once the varietal opened up in 2017, CMI established Ambrosia Gold as a recognizable mark of quality differentiation. One of CMI’s owners, the McDougall Family, has spent years perfecting the growing, storage, and packing of this amazing, delicious apple.
“Growing Ambrosia apples is a very defined art and very strict guidelines must be followed for harvesting Ambrosia at the exact optimal time to ensure that the apples have the amazing flavor and texture consumers have come to know and love. Since CMI has so few growers growing Ambrosia Gold, we are able to closely monitor quality and enforce the strict guidelines and protocols. Now that Ambrosia planting has opened up to all growers, we are starting to see other Ambrosia apples enter the marketplace with variability in quality and taste. Consumers are beginning to see a notable difference in the quality and consistency of fruit available on retail shelves and now actually ask for Ambrosia Gold specifically by name,” said CMI Orchards President Bob Mast.
Ambrosia cracked the top 10 apple varieties in 2015, then exclusive to CMI Orchards, and quickly became the branded apple to beat. Being one of the first proprietary varieties to market, consumers were excited to try something new and strong sales numbers quickly showed the apple’s popularity.
“In the CMI Orchards’ apple product line, Ambrosia Gold is consistently one of the top varieties asked for by consumers. It’s become a mainstay apple on retailer shelves, and because CMI’s owner group, the McDougall family, earned the exclusive rights to grow and market Ambrosia apples in the U.S. and introduced it to the market, customers know they have perfected the Ambrosia apple,” said CMI Vice President of Marketing George Harter.
Featured in The Produce News
Organic apple and pear sales strong, getting stronger
Over the past decade, CMI Orchards has continued to invest significantly in overall organic growth, bringing to market some of the very first club organics.
Over the past decade, CMI Orchards has continued to invest significantly in overall organic growth, bringing to market some of the very first club organics such as Ambrosia, KIKU, Kanzi, Jazz, Envy, Smitten and EverCrisp apples. CMI Orchards’ overall organic apple production is up 25.5 percent over last year, and organic pear production is up 73.2 percent. Additional growth is expected in the new year.
CMI's branded organic apples continue to demonstrate solid performance. According to Nielsen Fresh Facts, Ambrosia, Kanzi, and Jazz have the highest distribution of any branded organic apples, taking the top three positions for the past 52 weeks. Organic Envy, a newcomer to the organic market in 2019, has realized significant volume gains this year. CMI leadership anticipates the organic Envy variety will continue to accelerate to the top position to match the conventional variety. Currently, Envy holds the highest retail pricing of any organic branded apple, with a $3 per pound average.
More than 10 years ago, CMI developed the Daisy Girl Organics brand to help retailers capture incremental sales for organic apples, pears and cherries. The brand has created an internationally-recognized mark of quality for CMI’s organic program.
CMI’s Daisy Girl Organics label held the No. 1 position for the top-selling organic apple and pear brand in the United States for several years running. However, with the introduction of many private label organic brands, Daisy Girl branded sales have been reallocated to support retailer demand for private label programs. “Our organic growth remains strong and we’ve proven that we are one of the best year-round organic suppliers in the industry,” said Marketing Specialist Danelle Huber.
CMI orchards are located in Washington state – known as one of the premier growing areas in the world for apples, pears and cherries. The nutrient-rich soil, arid climate, plentiful water, and advanced growing practices provide the right ingredients for producing top-quality fruit. These same elements also make Washington one of the finest places to grow organic apples, pears and cherries.
“We’re very pleased with this growth. The new year is the perfect time to commit to health and wellness and many shoppers choose to do this by opting for organic products,” said Brand Manager Rochelle Bohm. “CMI is perfectly positioned to support retailers focused on offering their customers new and exciting products that drive sales and satisfy organic shoppers year-round. With the highest number of club apples of any shipper, and award-winning sales tools, we’re poised to continue this growth in the new year with some incredible organic promotions.”
Article by The Produce News
Ambrosia Gold apples deliver Midas touch for category performance
After more than a decade of robust category performance in the United States, Ambrosia continues to hold its position as one of America’s favorite apples.
After more than a decade of robust category performance in the United States, Ambrosia continues to hold its position as one of America’s favorite apples. Hungry shoppers can seek out Ambrosia year-round in more than 10,000 retail locations across America — one of the highest distributions of any branded apple.
“Ambrosia has an extremely solid threshold in both sales and volume, holding the third position of all branded apples and the ninth position of all apples overall – core and branded,” said Danelle Huber, marketing specialist for CMI Orchards. “Volume has increased by more than 19 percent, and just over 2 percent in sales dollars.”
Huber shared that the dollar per pound basis shows that retailers are promoting Ambrosia at reduced pricing, leading to a 14 percent decrease on a dollar per pound basis, (a decrease of $0.28 per pound): “Ambrosia is such a fantastic apple. It has broad appeal, great shelf-life, and offers a consistent eating experience across the board. Consumers know and love this about Ambrosia and continuously seek it out, regardless of its price. It has become a mainstay apple, and retailers can hold, and even increase category sales by keeping pricing levels high.”
CMI Brand Manager Rochelle Bohm shared that the success of Ambrosia apples can be attributed to the arduous work and dedication of one family in Wenatchee, WA.
Bohm explained that Ambrosia was originally discovered in Canada in 1990. In the mid 2000s, CMI's owner group, the McDougall family in Wenatchee, WA, earned the exclusive rights to grow and market Ambrosia apples in the U.S. and introduced it to the U.S. market shortly after. The McDougall family has perfected the growing and packing practices over the years to improve color, harvest timing and storage to deliver an outstanding quality apple. In 2017, the tree patent expired opening the variety to other U.S. growers.
“To differentiate CMI’s Ambrosia apples, CMI launched a new label, Ambrosia Gold, described as the 'gold standard of Ambrosia apples,'" Bohm said. “Ambrosia has become a staple in retail stores and fridge drawers across America. It’s hard to believe that this sweet, honey-like apple came from such humble beginnings. This new label celebrates the journey we’ve been on to propel Ambrosia to where it is today, and the decades the McDougall family invested in developing this top-notch apple.”
“Ambrosia Gold delivers the Midas touch for retailers that want to capture sales for their produce departments. It’s easy to give customers a great eating experience, a beautiful piece of fruit, and a connection to a wonderful origin story with Ambrosia Gold.”
Conventional and organic Ambrosia Gold apples are available year-round, accompanied by many compelling packaging and in-store display options, available from CMI Orchards.
Article from The Produce News
Ambrosia Gold has broad appeal
After more than a decade of robust category performance in the U.S.A., Ambrosia continues to hold its position as one of America’s favorite apples.
After more than a decade of robust category performance in the U.S.A., Ambrosia continues to hold its position as one of America’s favorite apples. Hungry shoppers can seek out Ambrosia year-round in more than 10,000 retail locations across America—one of the highest distributions of any branded apple.
Danelle Huber, Marketing Specialist for CMI Orchards, reports on the most recent season-to-date Nielsen data showing results from August 15 through October 3 compared to the same time period in 2019.
“Ambrosia has an extremely solid threshold in both sales and volume, holding the third position of all branded apples and the ninth position of all apples overall – core and branded,” Huber said. “Volume has increased by more than 19%, and just over 2% in sales dollars.”
Huber shared that the dollar per pound basis shows that retailers are promoting Ambrosia at reduced pricing, leading to a 14% decrease on a dollar per pound basis, (a decrease of $0.28 per pound). “Ambrosia is such a fantastic apple. It has broad appeal, great shelf-life, and offers a consistent eating experience across the board. Consumers know and love this about Ambrosia and continuously seek it out, regardless of its price. It has become a mainstay apple, and retailers can hold, and even increase category sales by keeping pricing levels high.”
CMI’s Brand Manager, Rochelle Bohm, shared that the success of Ambrosia apples can be attributed to the arduous work and dedication of one family in Wenatchee, WA.
Bohm explained that Ambrosia was originally discovered in Canada in 1990. In the mid 2000’s, CMI's owner group, the McDougall family in Wenatchee WA, earned the exclusive rights to grow and market Ambrosia apples in the U.S.A. and introduced it to the U.S. market shortly after. The McDougall family has perfected the growing and packing practices over the years to improve color, harvest timing and storage to deliver an outstanding quality apple. In 2017, the tree patent expired opening the variety to other U.S. growers.
“To differentiate CMI’s Ambrosia apples, CMI launched a new label, Ambrosia Gold®, described as the “gold standard of Ambrosia apples,” Bohm said. “Ambrosia has become a staple in retail stores and fridge drawers across America. It’s hard to believe that this sweet, honey-like apple came from such humble beginnings. This new label celebrates the journey we’ve been on to propel Ambrosia to where it is today, and the decades the McDougall family invested in developing this top-notch apple.”
“Ambrosia Gold® delivers the Midas touch for retailers that want to capture sales for their produce departments,” said Bohm. “It’s easy to give customers a great eating experience, a beautiful piece of fruit, and a connection to a wonderful origin story with Ambrosia Gold®.”
Conventional and organic Ambrosia Gold® apples are available year-round, accompanied by many compelling packaging and in-store display options, available from CMI Orchards.
CMI tours a world of flavors with branded apple campaign
Ambrosia Gold. Kiku. Kanzi. Smitten. Jazz. Envy. Pacific Rose. These branded apples originated from around the world but are now grown in the U.S. and marketed by CMI Orchards, which is highlighting their diversity in a new promotion, Apple Flavors of the World.
Ambrosia Gold. KIKU. Kanzi. Smitten. Jazz. Envy. Pacific Rose.
These branded apples originated from around the world but are now grown in the U.S. and marketed by CMI Orchards, which is highlighting their diversity in a new promotion, Apple Flavors of the World.
The promotion can be tailored for any store format, with conventional or organic apples, George Harter, vice president of marketing for CMI Orchards, said in a news release.
“We’ve assembled a compelling program that gives retailers a destination to display the best performing, hottest branded apples available and drive customer trial,” Harter said in the release. “The idea is that retailers can evaluate sales and then build plans for long-term variety improvement.”
The branded apples are not only diverse in the story of their origins, but flavors, he said, from sweet to tart and delicate to intense.
The promotion’s toolkit includes signs, in-store displays, high-graphic and flags from Italy, Belgium, Canada and New Zealand, where the apples were discovered.
Retailers can work with sales teams to develop promotions that include sales and display contests, and customer events.
“This promotion features seven of the top 12 performing branded apples in the U.S.A.,” Harter said in the release.
Nielsen scan data for the last 52 weeks of apple sales, ending Dec. 29, shows the top ranked branded apples, Ambrosia, Jazz and Envy, had $186 million in sales versus a combined $77 million for all other branded apples in the top twelve combined, according to the release.
“We have all the tools in place to tee up a powerful sales plan for our retail accounts, maximizing the tools included in this promotion,” Robb Myers, director of sales, said in the release. “We’re offering a turnkey solution that will ultimately expose more consumers to premium branded apples to help retailers pump up sales during the slower spring months.”
Article by Chris Koger, The Packer
Check out CMI’s new Ambrosia branding at Fresh Summit
CMI Orchards plans to unveil a new brand identity for the Ambrosia apple at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Orlando, Florida.
CMI Orchards plans to unveil a new brand identity for the Ambrosia apple at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Orlando, Florida.
“The time is right for a brand refresh. CMI has grown and marketed Ambrosia apples for over a decade, and it’s time to really clue customers and retailers in to the fact that CMI’s Ambrosia are truly exceptional.”
In the release, CMI cited Nielsen FreshFacts data showing Ambrosia apples were the top-selling brand in 2017, leading by more than $20 million in sales.
CMI Brand Manager Rochelle Bohm said the grower, the McDougall family, has a “legacy of growing high-quality fruit.”
“Their techniques for growing Ambrosia apples have been perfected over more than a decade resulting in an incredibly consistent apple, with a delicate crunch and sweet, honey flavor that customers crave,” Bohm said in the release.
CMI grows six of the top 10 apple brands in the U.S., according to the release, and five of them are also in the organic category, including Ambrosia, according to the release.
“With the experience, pride and passion our growers have, we are confident (the brand refresh) will set the bar for this variety,” Bohm said in the release.
CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, Wash., will be at booth No. 2483 at Fresh Summit.
Article by Chris Koger, The Packer
CMI gears up for Ambrosia promos
Ambrosia entered the top 10 best-selling apples in the U.S. in 2016, moving up to No. 8 last season. The variety is sold in 14,000 stores nationwide
With smaller fruit sizing this season, CMI Orchards expects ample Ambrosia apples for two-pound pouch bag promotions.
CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, Wash., is getting ready for peak sales of its Ambrosia apple.
“Ambrosia is the 8th best-selling apple variety in the U.S., so it is one of the few new branded apples that have the sales power to lift overall category performance. Nielsen data shows that the 10-week period from late January to April 15 is among the strongest Ambrosia sales weeks of the entire year,” George Harter, vice president of marketing, said in a news release.
The company had a 20% increase in Ambrosia production this season, with excellent quality, Harter said in the release.
Smaller apple sizes from the Northwest should provide good promo opportunities for two-pound pouch bags, he said.
“With an abundance of smaller fruit perfect for bagging, I anticipate we will see a lot of retail promotions running with hot prices like two for $5,” Harter said in the release.
Ambrosia entered the top 10 best-selling apples in the U.S. in 2016, moving up to No. 8 last season. The variety is sold in 14,000 stores nationwide, according to the release.
Article by Amelia Freidline, The Packer
CMI expands pouch, bin options
Bob Mast, president of CMI Orchards, said the company has introduced several pouch bag and bin options this year.
With more apples to sell, CMI Orchards is offering more ways to sell them.
Bob Mast, president of CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, Washington, said the company has introduced several pouch bag and bin options this year.
“The feedback we have been getting from retailers is (their wish) to be able to highlight the (Daisy Girl) organics, and how they can do that better in the stores,” he said. “We have built a self-contained display where they can do that.”
Mast said the fresh apple estimate in Washington state has increased from an initial projection of near 131 million cartons to about 138 million cartons. Depending on how harvest finishes up with fujis, Pink Lady, Kiku, Envy and Pacific Rose, Mast said the crop could climb higher yet. Already harvested varieties gala and Honeycrisp beat estimates, he said.
“I think it will be closer to 145 million cartons than it is to 135 million cartons,” he said. Excellent color and good internal storage quality could mean improved fresh packout through the season.
CMI has introduced several new pouch bags this season, including a one-pound pouch bag for smaller pear crop varieties, including seckel, forelle and comice, he said.
CMI also has a new four-pound pear pouch bag, and updated graphics on its Kiku apple pouch bag with the a tagline “Taste the Sweetness.”
Mast said CMI also introduced a full line of three-pound pouch bags for traditional varieties, including red delicious, golden delicious, gala, fuji and Pink Lady. The new bags highlight the taste attributes of each variety, Mast said.
CMI also introduced a new bin to help retailers highlight the special managed varieties marketed by the company.
“The thought process is to encourage (retailers) to potentially promote a new variety every month,” he said. All the varieties are listed on the bin and point-of-sale cards, which will highlight the specific variety promoted that month.
The bin display can be used for pouch bags and bulk apples, and features a place for tote bags for consumers to fill bags on their own.
The bin is shipped full with 16 cases of fruit and everything to build it, and can be assembled in less than three minutes, Mast said.
The company also introduced a five-pound pouch bag of organic juicing apples, Mast said. While juicing apples have been merchandised by others, he said the organic fruit is a point of difference. The bag comes with a smoothie recipe on the back, he said.
CMI also is offering both a two-pound and four-pound pouch bag for Kanzi and Smitten apples this year. CMI offers a two-pack pouch bag for large Honeycrisps, Ambrosias and Pacific Rose, he said.
The company featured the new packaging and displays at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 20-21.
Article by Tom Karst, The Packer
Sweet Surprise as Ambrosia Apples Go Hollywood in Oscars Nominee Gift Bags
Ambrosia apples are proud to step up as a first-time, featured item in the official gift bags that non-winners in the major categories receive. Ambrosia apples stand out as the only fresh produce item to be included in this year’s gift bag.
Ambrosia apples are proud to step up as a first-time, fresh produce item in the Oscar Nominee’s official gift bags.
With the countdown to the 87th Annual Oscars in full swing, Hollywood’s biggest night beckons with the allure of the red carpet, golden statues and glamorous celebrities mixing it up with the evening’s nominees. But for those Oscar hopefuls who don’t win the major Academy Awards categories of Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress and Best Director – there’s still a happily-ever-after waiting in the wings, thanks to Ambrosia apples.
“Ambrosia apples really are exceptional, worthy of Hollywood’s best”
Ambrosia apples are proud to step up as a first-time, featured item in the official gift bags that non-winners in the major categories receive. Ambrosia apples stand out as the only fresh produce item to be included in this year’s gift bag, and will join an impressive $80,000+ worth of merchandise as part of the “Everybody Wins at the Oscars” nominee gift baskets.
With a name that means “food of the gods,” Ambrosia apples are right at home on Oscars night. Ambrosia is a relative newcomer on the American-grown apple landscape, after being discovered as a chance seedling in Canada. They truly are the ultimate eating apple. Perfect for snacking or enjoying with wine and cheese, Ambrosia apples are incredibly versatile with their creamy flesh and sweet, honey-like flavor.
“Ambrosia apples really are exceptional, worthy of Hollywood’s best,” said Steve Lutz, Vice President of Marketing for Columbia Marketing International, Inc. “While the award nominee gift bag is always unique, sweet, crisp Ambrosia apples have earned their moment in the spotlight as well. We’re delighted to have Ambrosia apples included.”
Ambrosia apples in the United States are exclusively grown by McDougall & Sons, family-owned fruit farming company in Wenatchee, Washington with roots going back over 100 years. All Ambrosia apples are non-GMO. After 10 years of orchard development, both organic and conventionally grown Ambrosia apples are now available nationally in leading food markets. One Ambrosia apple retails for approximately $1.00.