Stemilt Announces Plans to Use Apeel™ on its Artisan Organics™ Apples
WENATCHEE, WA - At the core of Stemilt, be that an apple, pear, cherry, or any treefruit core, is a spirit of innovation, and this season the grower is tending that flare with a new partnership with Apeel™ and its plant-based protection for organic apples.
“Our mission at Stemilt is to grow fruit that delights consumers, and that means consistently delivering freshness and flavor,” said Brianna Shales, Senior Marketing Manager. “Apeel has transformed the produce industry with its plant-derived coatings. Our in-house research and development team has studied Apeel on organic apples for two years now, and we see it as a huge benefit in helping us on our journey to deliver Artisan Organics™ apples with flavors and qualities that delight.”
Apeel is made of plant-derived materials that are found in the peels, seeds, and pulp of fruits and vegetables, according to a press release, forming an edible peel when applied on Stemilt’s dedicated organic apple packing line that will help retain moisture. This, the companies explained, leads to crisp and juicy organic apples at retail with fresh fruit color and overall appearance.
“It’s great to partner with an organic pioneer and leader like Stemilt,” said Lauren Sweeney, Director of Marketing at Apeel. “We share their passion for improving the consumer experience and see Apeel’s plant-based technology as an important tool in their toolbox. Together, we can build demand through quality and reduce food waste.”
Stemilt’s Artisan Organics program began more than 30 years ago when the company transitioned a large orchard to organic production in 1989. In recent years, Stemilt has modernized its organic apple mix with signature apples like SweeTango® as well as well-known favorites like Honeycrisp.
“Stemilt believes that a fantastic eating experience with organic apples will lead to increased purchasing and greater demand for organics,” said Shales. “Apeel is going to help us deliver that crisp, juicy, and flavorful organic apple consistently, which ultimately benefits growers, retailers, and most importantly, the organic shopper.”
Stemilt supplies core organic varieties 52 weeks of the year. Now, with this newest addition, the team welcomes a partnership that offers tested products for dozens of USDA Organic Certified products to make such items retain better quality, be more sustainable, and are longer lasting.
Congratulations to both Stemilt and Apeel on this latest innovative step!
