FALLS CHURCH, VA - The U.S. Apple Association’s “Apple Madness” consumer competition has declared the Envy™ apple America’s favorite. Of 32 apple varieties vying for top honors throughout March, a final four was selected with Envy winning out over its competitors.
“We love the opportunity to merge March’s National Nutrition Month and bracket fever with this campaign,” said Korenna Wilson, U.S. Apple Association’s Director of Consumer Health. “It was fun to see apple fans’ passion for their favorite varieties play out on social media. Congrats to Envy!”
The competition began February 22 and lasted for five week-long rounds, according to a press release.
“Envy is selling extremely well in the U.S. but also other key markets for us such as Thailand, China and Vietnam,” noted Joe Barsi, T&G Global’s North American President. “We’re intending to increase global production significantly over the next eight years to keep up with the growing demand for this premium apple, but being chosen as the number one apple in the USA is truly awesome for the consumers who get to enjoy it and our passionate growers.”
Envy was developed by Plant and Food Research in New Zealand by crossing Braeburn with Royal Gala apples using natural plant-breeding methods. The variety was first planted in Washington state in 2009 in a joint venture between T&G Global, which owns the Envy trademark, and its marketing partner Oppy.
Oppy’s Vice President of Categories David Nelley noted that winning the Apple Madness competition puts an exclamation point on what has been another high-demand season for Washington-grown Envy.
“We are incredibly excited that consumers picked Envy over several worthy opponents, bestowing the coveted number one spot and proving Envy’s truly exceptional widespread appeal,” said Nelley.
In 2014, Envy apples surpassed 100,000 cartons for production in the USA, and T&G anticipates a harvest of more than two million cartons by the year 2020.
T&G Executive General Manager, Pipfruit, Darren Drury added that the season for U.S-grown Envy has now ended, but North Americans can look forward to New Zealand-grown fruit currently being harvested for export and domestic consumption.
For more on this and other exciting produce offerings, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
