WENATCHEE, WA - The passion of the Stemilt team has always been infectious, but as it heads to the International Fresh Produce Association's (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show this week, this zeal for innovation has grown tenfold. Setting the stage for apple season, Stemilt is bringing a new crop of opportunities to its booth with a new lineup of Artisan Organics® sustainable apple packs, Aura® and Kissabel® apples, and a pear that lives up to its name.

“We can’t wait to share with retailers the strategic growth that has come to light with this year’s crop of apples and pears, and Stemilt specifically,” said Marketing Director Brianna Shales. “Volume is up, and we’re growing more club varieties and organics. We’re looking forward to the many opportunities this crop will bring for retailers and to partner with them to find success together.”

As retailers explore the Stemilt booth, they’ll find new items to position them for success during this year's quality crop of apples and pears, a press release noted. With organics continuing to climb in volume this year, a new Stemilt sustainable package called the EZ Band is designed for bulk organic apples to help capture ring at the register and move organic volume in a convenient pack. The EZ Band pack will also be featured in the Fresh Ideas Showcase.

“We feel the EZ Band is going to be the season’s superhero for selling bulk organic apples in stores and online,” added Shales. “What’s great about the EZ Band is it ensures organic ring at the register in one scannable unit and appeals to the organic shopper with 100 percent paper-board packaging. It’s easy to stock, easy to shop, and helps retailers secure their organic dollars while reducing some of the labor involved. Lil Snappers® pouch bags are another convenient item to offer in the organic category for consumers. With our growth in organic apples and pears, Artisan Organics Lil Snappers are perfect for parents to grab and go, or for anyone who enjoys a smaller piece of fruit!”

Additionally, the lineup of Artisan Organics apples are now available in the EZ Band including core varieties such as Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady®, Granny Smith, and club apples like SweeTango® and Cosmic Crisp®.

Happi Pear® will also be featured at the grower’s booth. This is a green pear with a signature red blush that is best eaten when green or yellow, the release explained.

“Happi Pear is all about offering consumers a different pear eating experience with its unexpected bite. We’re just getting started with Happi Pear, so retailers can position it as a new, special treat for consumers to try if they find it. It’s grown right here in Washington where warm, sunny days and experienced growers help Happi Pear bring a smile to anyone’s day,” remarked Shales.

The Fresh Ideas Showcase also features Stemilt’s Aura apples, a Stemilt exclusive variety that is a cross of a Honeycrisp and Aurora apple. It brings a new yellow apple eating experience to the table with a burst of honey and melon flavors.

“We subtly introduced Aura last year at GPFS and heard great things about its flavor and crispness, which is unique in the yellow apple world,” said Shales. “We also have red-fleshed apples, called Kissabel to share at the show during their limited availability in October. Stemilt is centered around freshness, flavor, and quality for World Famous Fruit, and that’s what we hope to share this year at GPFS with retailers. While we’re bringing new items to the table, this has all been part of the plan for years to come, and we’re excited to see it come to fruition in this year’s crop.”

Be sure to stop by booth #2847 to sample new apple and pear flavors—and also be dazzled by magician David Harris.

Stemilt