Crunch Time Apple Growers Celebrate Record SnapDragon Season

Newark, NY – Crunch Time Apple Growers is celebrating the largest SnapDragon® season in the variety’s history and paving the way for an exceptional fall.

SnapDragon production increased by 15% this season, with sales rising at an equal 15% as growers delivered premium-quality fruit and retailers responded with great demand. In fact, SnapDragon sales exceeded forecasts by thousands of bushels in March, April, and May, a clear indication that consumers continued seeking out the spicy-sweet Monster Crunch well beyond the traditional apple season.

This incredible season was driven by a combination of factors, including improved storage capabilities that extended availability, expanded distribution into new markets, and targeted digital retail marketing programs that helped connect consumers with SnapDragon apples at the point of purchase. Sales through grocery delivery platforms increased 28% year over year.

“This season really reinforced what our growers have believed from the beginning,” said Jessica Wells, Executive Director of Crunch Time Apple Growers. “SnapDragon apples offer an experience people genuinely get excited about. They’re juicy and spicy-sweet and deliver a ridiculous crunch that keeps consumers coming back. Our growers have invested in this apple because they believe in its potential, and it’s rewarding to see so many shoppers making SnapDragon apples part of their routine.”

Crunch Time continued to grow the reach of SnapDragon apples through expanded retail distribution, bringing the variety to more stores across the Midwest, including Michigan. The increased availability helped introduce new shoppers to SnapDragon apples while building on its popularity in already existing retail markets.

Additional season insights include:

• SnapDragon reached consumers in all 50 states during the season, reinforcing its evolution from a regional favorite into a nationally sought-after premium apple.
• Record shipments were achieved while maintaining disciplined pricing throughout the season, demonstrating that strong consumer demand drove growth, not heavy discounting.
• The variety continued gaining momentum with retailers across multiple regions, proving strong consumer acceptance established on the East Coast and an expanding presence in Texas and the West.

For United Apple Sales, the season’s performance points to even greater opportunities ahead. “We saw outstanding demand from retailers and consumers all season long,” said Brett Baker, President and Sales Manager of United Apple Sales. “Consumers are discovering SnapDragon apples, trying them and coming back for more. That’s exactly the kind of momentum you want heading into a new crop year.”

With growing consumer awareness, expanding distribution and continued retailer support, Crunch Time Apple Growers expects the momentum to continue when fresh-crop SnapDragon apples return to stores this September.

Growers are already preparing for harvest, with fresh-crop SnapDragon apples expected to arrive in stores beginning in September. Backed by increasing acreage, expanding national distribution and growing consumer demand, Crunch Time expects the variety’s strongest season yet is still ahead.

About SnapDragon & Crunch Time Apple Growers

When you bite into a Crunch Time apple, you’re not just tasting an incredible apple, but the incredible love and labor of over 160 family farmers across New York State. Every Crunch Time apple is non-GMO, super crunchy, delightfully juicy, beautifully colored and carefully grown. When you purchase a Crunch Time apple, you’re helping to sustain the future of family farming for generations to come. For more information, please visit CrunchTimeAppleGrowers.com, SnapDragonApple.com or RubyFrostApple.com.