WENATCHEE, WA - The “Apple Capital of the World” got a visit from seven national food writers last month, getting an up close and personal tour from CMI. The three-day tour of Wenatchee held from September 24-27 was organized by the company to educate top-tier food writers on how its latest Ambrosia™ apple variety is grown and distributed.
The participating food writers and editors were from digital and print publications including Saveur, Every Day with Rachael Ray, FoodNetwork.com, The Nibble, The Daily Meal, Gluten Free Girl and the Chef, and Meal Makeover Moms. In total, the outlets influence more than 35 million consumers through their print and online presence, according to a press release.
"It was amazing to get up close and personal with Ambrosia™ apples and really understand all that it takes to grow premium fruit," said Summer Whitford, an Editor at the Daily Meal. "When you see the care, attention and investment that goes into cultivating these orchards, you really appreciate the hard work and vision of growers like the McDougall family.”
The writers had the opportunity to visit several Ambrosia™ orchards to see the careful and complex work required to produce a top ten highest selling apple. After visiting a seedling nursery, writers were also able to participate in a live grafting exercise and observe the process of cultivating the Ambrosia™variety from a root stock.
Emily Lee, a Digital Content Contributor to FoodNetwork.com, says she was surprised by the modern horticultural practices used at McDougall and Sons packing facility, adding, “The whole process, from planting trees to picking and packing is far more sophisticated than I expected. From the gleaming facility, impressive tools and technology used for packing, and ultimately the quality of the fruit, there is no doubt that Ambrosia™ has earned their new Top 10 status.”
Food writers were able to hand-pick Ambrosia™ apples right off the trees, the company said, and enjoyed two days of orchard themed menus featuring locally harvested fruits and vegetables. From Ambrosia™ apple-glazed wild Alaska salmon, to curried apple and squash soup, lavender honey bruschetta with Ambrosia™ apple chutney, buckboard apple bacon fire-grilled pizzas and Whistle Punk Ambrosia™ sorbet, Ambrosia™ apples provided culinary inspiration for all attendees.
Shauna Ahern James, the “Gluten Free Girl”, said she was inspired by the culinary treasures of Wenatchee, adding that she has never eaten this well on any press trip before.
“Food writers have a powerful story to tell - and these writers are masterful storytellers who can bring Ambrosia's story to life for mainstream America,” said Bryon McDougall, Co-Owner of McDougall and Sons, adding that the family was excited to welcome the influential group.
Ambrosia™ apples are available year-round to all retailers, according to a press release, and Nielsen data reveals that in total sales dollars, Ambrosia™ passed Braeburn to become the 10th best selling apple variety nationally during the 2014-15 apple season. Ambrosia™ also had one of the highest growth rates among all top 10 varieties, with Nielsen data showing Ambrosia™ distribution increased by 30% up to 48% nationally during the last season.
