VALENCIA, CA - Retailers, we’ve got some incentive to drive citrus fans coming through your stores. Sunkist Growers is preparing for the second annual National Sunkist Citrus Day on March 1, 2024, with a culinary challenge and multi-variety display contest.

“Many shoppers see citrus as a stand-alone snack, juice, or simple garnish, limiting the potential ways to enjoy the fruit’s unique and refreshing flavors,” says Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing. “We want to shift the perception of citrus as a one-dimensional ingredient and showcase its remarkable ability to complement and transform a wide range of meals and occasions throughout significant shopper milestones.”

Sunkist Growers wants to make the California-grown citrus the star of the season through a game show-inspired digital series, ‘Sunkist Matchmakers.’

With consumers looking to creatively elevate their at-home meals, Sunkist is also revamping its website with a custom landing page that's both informative and interactive, a press release explained. Explore the ‘Matchmaker’ feature, where shoppers can pair a Sunkist varietal with a surprise ingredient, sparking real-time recipe ideas that will have citrus fans rushing to their kitchens.

Sunkist is also thrilled to collaborate with retailers to generate in-store excitement for National Sunkist Citrus Day. As the day approaches, the cooperative encourages retailers to participate in a Multi-Variety Display Contest to help drive sales.

“According to Circana, season-to-date citrus is trending ahead of last year, outpacing total produce and total fruit,” adds Howard. “We want to build on that momentum, working with our retail partners to put together relevant bag programs and strategic bulk displays to continue growing the category this season.”

Sunkist’s in-season citrus offerings during the winter months include both conventional and organic Navel oranges, Cara Caras, Blood oranges, lemons, tangelos, California Mandarins, and grapefruit. Displays can more than double sales, and Sunkist’s new grove bin wraps and classic blue quarter bins are the perfect solution for large bulk fruit offerings this season.

“Shoppers say the most useful information in-stores is knowing where citrus is grown and packed,” Howard remarks. “We also have new grower bin headers that allow shoppers to meet the people behind the hard work that goes into growing the citrus they see in stores.”

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ANUK will continue to report on the latest in the fresh space.