WENATCHEE, WA - We’re just about to head into July, but Stemilt is already looking toward the future with its new pear crop coming this August.

Marketed under its Rushing Rivers label, Stemilt will begin picking pears in early August with the Starkrimson and Bartlett varieties. Stemilt’s pear crop is up slightly over last year, as pears are alternate bearing and 2015 is the “on” year.

Retailers are encouraged to promote the category in time for kids heading back to school, as well as promote multiple pear varieties simultaneously in advertisements during the key pear months this fall.

“Our Lil Snappers kid-sized pears are a great back-to-school and every day item to merchandise alongside bulk Rushing Rivers pears. The 3lb. bag markets directly to kids and offers today’s busy parents with a convenient and healthy snack, while boosting purchase size and driving sales to the pear category,” Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s Communications Manager, tells me. 

Stemilt’s Rushing Rivers pears are grown and packed in the Wenatchee River Valley and Entiat River Valleys in Washington State. Pear orchards are surrounded by alpine mountains and rivers in these parallel valleys, which are known as the world’s two most premium growing locations for pears.

“These locales consistently produce clean, high-quality pears and 2015 will be no exception,” continued Shales. “Rushing Rivers is all about telling consumers the story behind where our pears came from. It’s a story people want to hear and a great way for retailers to build pear category sales and repeat purchases.”

For more on these programs, check back in to AndNowUKnow as we continue following the pear season. 

Stemilt