CASTROVILLE, CA - Spring has sprung, and with it the beginning of peak artichoke season. Of course, Ocean Mist Farms has plenty to offer retailers to support sales and generate awareness for the company’s fresh artichokes.
From March through May - peak volume of the Castroville crop - Ocean Mist Farms' artichokes will carry branded petal inserts to help consumers find them in store, explains Diana McClean, Director of Marketing.
“During peak season we activate a strong promotional strategy that includes display and sales contests with Northern California retailers, radio ads in Northern California and a nationwide new product launch featuring cleaned and ready to cook fresh artichokes in our award-winning Season & Steam packaging,” she adds. “This year we are excited to target Millenials with a consumer contest.”
In a response to research that shows some consumers may be intimidated by artichokes, Ocean Mist is introducing its new consumer contest, Be an Artichoke Adventurer.
“Be an Artichoke Adventurer is designed to help people overcome their artichoke fears, by encouraging them to be bold and adventurous,” continues McClean. “We want to encourage people, specifically Millennials, who have never tried or prepared a fresh artichoke to do so. At the same time, we want to celebrate our loyal fans by allowing them to show off their artichoke culinary know-how.”
From March 20 to April 18, home cooks will be asked to upload a picture or video of themselves preparing or eating a fresh artichoke for a chance to win a trip for two to Monterey, CA, a press release reveals. Winners will also receive tickets to the Annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival from June 4-5.
“We are engaging with people who love to cook,” McClean says. “Whether you’ve been a fresh artichoke fan for years, or have never cooked or eaten one, we want to see what you create.”
The company has plans to leverage more than 60,000 artichoke fans who are now members its Artichoke Club, it says, in an effort to communicate information about the contest as well as retail promotions throughout peak season.
“We are looking forward to a strong season with good volume throughout the spring months of March through the artichoke festival in June,” McClean shares.
For even more information about Ocean Mist Farms and all its products, visit www.oceanmist.com.
