Sunkist Growers' Cassie Howard Spotlights Category Growth and Shares Southern Innovations Preview


Thu. September 5th, 2024 - by Peggy Packer

VALENCIA, CA - Southern Innovations is almost here, and there’s no better time to start planning your route on the always exhilarating show floor. Sunkist Growers is ready to hit the ground running in Nashville, Tennessee, bringing its portfolio of in-season citrus varieties and spotlighting some key offerings to prepare for the kickoff of the California citrus season.

Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing, Sunkist Growers

“Citrus continues to be top of mind for shoppers, as volume increased 8 percent, outpacing all produce according to Circana data through mid-August,” Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing, explained. “Southern Innovations is a great time of year, with the California citrus season right around the corner and our shopper-marketing planning underway. We always find it to be an engaging and important way to spend valuable face time with our customers, provide real-time crop updates, and show why they should continue choosing Sunkist for innovative ways of bringing citrus to the table.”

As the supplier gears up for the Southern Innovations show, Sunkist is celebrating the return of the California orange season with its new limited-edition Power with the Pink Orange™ Cara program and holiday movie-themed cartons for Christmas on display. With a close look at this suite of merchandising tools, attendees can explore how Sunkist’s innovative shopper-marketing programs and category management solutions can engage shoppers and grow the citrus category.

During Southern Innovations, Sunkist Growers will be showcasing its portfolio of in-season citrus varieties and spotlighting some key offerings to prepare for the kickoff of the California citrus season

“As part of our commitment to supporting health and wellness initiatives, Sunkist is partnering with National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) this upcoming season with limited-edition pink ribbon packaging and matching merchandising for its Cara program,” Cassie noted. “After the successful launch of the Meet the Pink Orange all-pink revamp last season, this new partnership is a natural next step to keep growing the Cara category. Sunkist is the largest Cara supplier, and Sunkist branded Cara volume was up 35 percent last year, outpacing private label and nearly all other brands. Sunkist is the most preferred Cara brand, driving brand preference four times more than any other brand.”

The grower is celebrating the return of the California orange season with its new limited-edition Power with the Pink Orange™ Cara program

To learn more about the Power with the Pink Orange campaign and all the other exciting opportunities provided by Sunkist’s robust citrus portfolio, be sure to stop by booth #315.

As always, keep reading ANUK for the latest trade show insights and industry updates.