New York Apple Association's Cynthia Haskins Shares Details of Display Contest and Recipe Contest
VICTOR, NY - Apples are synonymous with holiday dishes. Whether they’re used in a savory stuffing dish or a tried-and-true cobbler, consumers look to the category for recipe inspiration. New York Apple Association (NYAA) is fueling this apple-recipe love with its second annual Holiday Extravaganza Retail Display contest. Cross-merchandising opportunities abound, from showcasing New York apples with baking ingredients to building large fresh cider displays. Retailers can even dip their toes into opportunities surrounding charcuterie plates with cheese and dip pairings.
Last year’s display contest was won by Susan Sarday of Big M Supermarkets in Windsor, New York. After winning, Susan and her husband Martin toured apple orchards and cideries across Western New York, tasting the best apple flavors that New York harvest season has to offer. Other contest winners were Gary Zimmerman of Mike’s Bi-Lo in Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania; Jeff Collins of Big M Supermarkets in Sherburne, New York; Saqrah Houck of Abundance Co-Op in Rochester, New York; and Kyle Russell of Honest Weight Co-Op in Albany, New York.
All one needs to do to participate in this year’s contest is snap a few photos of the store display and submit them by email to [email protected]. Grand prizes include three 1st place $500 gift cards, five 2nd place $250 gift cards, and ten 3rd place $100 gift cards. The closing entry date is December 31, 2019.
Furthering the holiday excitement, NYAA is making how-to recipe videos available to retailers to engage consumers on its social media platforms. The recipe videos run from one to three minutes, during which instructions are given on how to make quick and easy apple recipes. NYAA President Cynthia Haskins informed me that these types of videos are extremely popular due to the inspiration they provide and their quick-to-view format on social media.
The how-to recipe videos are being made available to retailers to place on their social media platforms and website and combine the inspiration consumers love with the efficiency they crave.
“We are experiencing a successful click rate on social media when we showcase the recipe videos along with click throughs to our website and blog,” Cynthia told me. “We have been pleased with the results and will continue creating consumer resources.”
NYAA will also promote the Big Apple Salad Contest in early January of next year. This promotion invites New York apple lovers to strive for healthier eating in 2020, asking them to create and share delicious salad recipes that features Apples From New York™.
“Whatever your health goal—eating cleaner, feeling better, losing weight—salads are a deliciously easy way to eat better without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction,” Cynthia stated. “Apples add crunch, texture, and flavor—as well as nutrients and fiber-related fullness—to any salad. Plus, apple cider and cider vinegar make great salad dressings!”
For those who participate in the New York Big Apple Salad Challenge, NYAA will post certain recipes to inspire and awaken the taste buds.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in what’s happening with New York apple growers.
