CHELAN, WA - “An apple is not always just an apple.” As we prepare for the exhilarating Global Produce & Floral Show, these wise words from Julie DeJarnatt remain at the forefront of my mind. As the grower takes to this year’s show, Chelan Fresh will be showcasing a full manifest of Joyfully Grown™ conventional and organic apples and pears while shining a spotlight on unique, high-demand varieties like SugarBee®, Rockit™, and Lucy™ apples.

“With the abundance of choice the fresh apple industry is offering today, it can be hard for both buyers and consumers to differentiate across the wide array of varieties being offered,” Julie, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, shared with me ahead of the show. “Every marketing agency tends to use the same terminology attempting to ‘out-crisp’ or ‘out-sweet’ their competition. If we take just a moment to slow down, close our eyes, and take a breath—allowing all of our senses to be engaged—you just might be surprised by what you find. To help inspire that experience, we have invited Nutrition Expert Annessa Chumbley, RD, to join our Chelan Fresh booth to lead a workshop on engaging your senses to bring forward the unique flavor and experiential attributes of a few truly distinctive apples.”

Chumbley will lead the audience to experience the fresh aroma and distinctive flavor notes of SugarBee apples while also highlighting the brain-tingling dopamine rush you get when catching a glimpse of the vibrant pink interior of a Lucy Glo apple or incorporating Rockit apples into a naturally healthy and active lifestyle.

Backing the strength of this flavor-forward portfolio, Chelan Fresh has been hard at work over the past few years, balancing its manifest to offer surety of supply on the core drivers of the business and growing in the areas of greatest consumer demand.

“We don’t strive to offer the widest assortment of varieties, but instead focus on ensuring the fruit we offer is of the absolute highest quality and consistent eating experience,” Julie assures. “The consumer demand we are seeing on our premium SugarBee and miniature Rockit apples did not happen by chance. From the moment we saw the potential of these two varieties in our test orchards, every development and marketing step has been one of precision.”

Also guiding its growth is the company’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, which will soon be highlighted in Chelan Fresh’s second annual Sustainability and Social Responsibility Report.

“We are excited to update stakeholders and consumers on our ongoing commitment to Nurturing, Honoring, and Protecting Our Food, Our Planet, and Our People,” Julie concluded.

Don’t miss out on the high-quality collection of apples and pears waiting for you at booth C1965 during the event! For more trade show updates, keep clicking back to ANUK.

SAN DIEGO, CA - Celebrating the triumph of its Back to School campaign, BrightFresh® Microgreens revealed a heartwarming achievement—$3,500 raised for the Boys & Girls Clubs. From September 9-15, this initiative blossomed with community support, as every unit of microgreens sold in San Diego County contributed $1 to this vital cause.

“We are incredibly excited about the impact this campaign has had on our community,” said Aaron Horwitz, Senior Marketing Manager, BrightFresh. “Partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs has allowed us to directly support the health and well-being of children as they head back to school, and knowing that our donation will have up to a $100,000 impact is truly rewarding. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we come together to support our community.”

This donation generated a remarkable impact, as the Boys & Girls Club estimated that every dollar invested creates a positive effect of up to $32. Thanks to the generosity of the San Diego community and BrightFresh, the $3,500 contribution is projected to yield up to $112,000 in value for local children and families.

The Boys & Girls Clubs expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing that this significant contribution will help provide essential resources and programs to young people throughout the county. The funds raised will enrich the lives of children, offering them valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.

“We are deeply grateful for BrightFresh Microgreens’ generosity and the incredible impact this campaign will have on the children and families we serve,” said Michelle Malin, Chief Operations Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. “Every dollar raised helps us provide vital resources and programs that foster growth, learning, and opportunity for our youth. Partnerships like this are what enable us to continue empowering our young people to achieve their full potential, and we are honored to have BrightFresh as a part of that journey.”

The success of this campaign highlights the company’s commitment to community engagement and promoting healthy eating habits. Keep reading ANUK for more strategic community initiatives!