FISHERS, N.Y. — The New York Apple Association today announced its annual display contest for defense commissaries which encourages large displays of New York apples with Marzetti Caramel Apple Dip and Apple Crisp.
The contest runs from January 17 to February 20 with a deadline to have entries in by March 19.
The "New York Apple Association – T. Marzetti Co. DeCA Display Contest" is awarding six grand prize packages for the best displays.
The prize includes an all inclusive entry ticket to the 2011 PMA Show in Atlanta, airfare and two nights accommodations at an official PMA hotel.
"Each year, this contest—and the display entries—keep getting bigger and bigger,” said David McClurg, vice president of marketing for the New York Apple Association. "We've had huge success in working with the military to promote New York apples in commissaries. And everyone has also had a lot of fun participating too."
"Over the years we have had a hard time choosing the winners from the large amount of quality entries,” McClurg said. “Last year there were 66 entries from 24 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.”
The contest, now in its twelfth year, asks commissaries to construct apple displays that identify or mention New York State apples or use the NYAA's "Apple Country®" logo.
New York State apples, loose or bagged or a combination of both must be used along with Marzetti Co. Caramel Apple Dip and Apple Crisp.
Apple varieties that are readily available from New York include: Empire, McIntosh, Gala, Crispin, Fortune, Jonagold, Macoun, Red Delicious, Rome, Golden Delicious and Cortland. Other New York State varieties can also be used.
The contest is open to all DeCA U.S. commissaries that display and sell New York apples.
Entries will be judged on the creative use of display materials, originality and sales appeal. Entrants are asked to send the details of the results of the promotion such as sales increases or increase in cases sold.
The following are comments from 2010 participants that highlight the contest’s positive effects on apple movement at the store level:
– Our sales increased 41%
– Overall our sales increased 55% for both bagged and bulk apples
– Sales increased 86.7% for bulk apples and 152% for bagged
– One of our winners told us their sales increased $5,369 over the same period last year.
Source: New York Apple Association
