Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers apricots arrive early
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers apricots arrive early
An early start to the 2015 Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers’ apricot season, both conventional and organic, is providing the market big, sweet fruit that Oneonta Marketing Director Scott Marboe described as the “best eating quality we’ve seen in years.”
One of the season’s stars in the category is OSRG’s popular “Grab n’ Go” consumer pouch for its “Gourmet” label, a one-pound resealable pouch bag that is perfect for snacking.
Organic apricots from Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers. (Photo courtesy of OSRG)
“Only select varieties are good enough to pack in our ‘Gourmet’ label,” Bruce Turner, national sales representative, said in a press release. “These apricots have the best flavor and color and are packed to differentiate them from others. We want to call attention to the superior eating quality of the ‘Gourmet Apricot’ from OSRG, and these are absolutely super sweet.”
Marboe said the Washington crop is coming in somewhat earlier this year as well, but “because Washington apricots are able to hang on the tree a little longer, they are sweeter than fruit from other growing regions.”
The Gourmets are only packed with size 72s and larger in their black and white pouch bags, and they are also available in Pantapack, peaking in 60, 64 and 72.
Marboe said organics are peaking in 60, 64 and 72 Pantapack.
“Our Organic tree fruit is true tree-ripened and hand-packed,” Marboe said in the release. “And we insert a point-of-sale card in every 20th carton to help our retail partners build displays of these organic apricots.”
Marboe said the Robada variety, with “incredible flavor,” was being harvested in mid-June.
“It is a very nice apricot, with an orange background color and a hint of blush. It will make an amazing display,” Turner said.
OSRG expanded its stone fruit program in 2014, and organics make up nearly 30 percent of the total volume, Marboe said.
