Rice Fruit out front with the hottest apple varieties again this season
Rice Fruit out front with the hottest apple varieties again this season
Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, is taking great advantage of its new controlled atmosphere storage facility this season.
John Rice, vice president, said the facility, which went into operation last fall, will hold an additional 10 controlled atmosphere rooms.
“Added to our existing previous storage, we now have 41 rooms in all,” he said.
“We need this additional space to accommodate the four primary apple varieties that now represent between 80 and 90 percent of our growth; Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji and ‘KIKU,’” he added.
The new facility increased Rice Fruit’s volume to 2.5 million bushels annually.
Maggie Reid Travis, sales associate for Rice Fruit Co., displaying various ‘KIKU’ packaging options.“And it’s here on site,” Rice noted. “That makes us different among packing houses around the country. A lot of apples are stored offsite. We believe that storing the apples right under our noses gives us the ability to watch them from the time they come in from the field to when they are packed and loaded on trucks to be shipped. We take a lot of pride and place conscientious attention to make sure we do a first-rate job from the tree to delivery.”
The North American license franchise for the “KIKU” was purchased by Columbia Marketing International in Washington. Applewood Orchards in Michigan, along with Rice Fruit Co. are sub-licensed to grow and market the apple.
Rice explained that because it is so guarded, the three companies work continually to ensure that the marketing and promotional efforts are unified and coordinated. They joined forces recently to announce they are partnering with retailers across the country to create buzz around super sweet “KIKU” brand apples with the “KIKU” for Kicks promotion that attracts consumers to try “KIKU” apples with a fresh youth soccer promotion supporting healthy eating and an active lifestyle.
In a press release in December, Katharine Grove, marketing specialist for CMI, said the promotion assists retailers’ charitable efforts by supporting one of their local soccer teams.
“All the while it will be creating some excitement within the produce department with in-store displays and promotional merchandise,” she said.
As part of each sponsorship, the “KIKU” alliance will donate to local soccer clubs under their retail partners’ name to purchase team jerseys, as well as provide local teams with a complete kit with balls, coolers, “KIKU” brand apples and funds to help throw an end-of-season party for the team.
Retail prizes include popular items like sports equipment and electronics.
Rice Fruit offers various “KIKU” packaging options, including a two-pound pouch, four-pound poly bag, a two-case shipper, a five-case shipper and a standard tray pack carton.
