As the executive director of the Next Big Thing Cooperative, Jennifer Miller realizes that it is vital to build awareness of apples — their health benefits and the many varieties available — with consumers in order to build sales in the market.

First Kiss apples will be an early variety primer to the fall season. Available from Midwest facilities in mid-August,  this bright and sassy variety provides a jump start to new fresh crop sales. First Kiss, which debuted in limited supply to a fan base of committed consumers over the past few years, is headed back to retailer shelves in even greater numbers this season.  

In April 2024, CMI Orchards partnered with Category Partners to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at understanding consumer preferences and perceptions of apple varieties. The results are clear: high-flavor branded apples — Ambrosia Gold, EverCrisp, JUICI and Kanzi — outperform their mainstream counterparts in blind taste tests.

The Michigan Apple industry has seen a steep increase in apple exports since 2020, with bushels shipped increasing by 40 percent, according to the U.S. Apple Export Council.

Paper, Pulp and Film, a family-owned-and-operated paper converting business, is focused on sustainable boxes.

The independent company offers multiple solutions as it relates to paper boxes for retail fruits and vegetables. The company works with its customers to discover win/win opportunities and to provide the grower, shipper or packer with custom solutions for the clamshell replacement packaging.

This back-to-school season, CMI Orchards is introducing Ambrosia Gold apples in HERO packaging, combining the gold standard of Ambrosia apples with a kid-friendly, empowering program. This powerful pairing offers retailers a turnkey program to attract parents looking for healthy lunchbox snacks for the school year ahead.