Columbia Marketing International (CMI), the marketing arm of the North American KIKU® brand apple alliance, is excited to announce that harvest is done and KIKU® brand apples are ready to ship from their growing/shipping partners, Rice Fruit Company, located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s orchard country.
KIKU® brand apples come from select growers in strategic regions across the United States. CMI and its growers in Washington State (Columbia Fruit Packers) were given the opportunity to develop the North American market for KIKU® and thus formed the KIKU® brand Alliance.
According to Bob Mast, President of CMI, the Alliance is represented by a group of 3 of the leading grower/shippers in North America – CMI in Washington State, Rice Fruit Company in Pennsylvania and Applewood Orchards, Inc. in Michigan. “We wanted to be able to offer consumers product out of the Northwest as well as regional and local programs and that is why we felt very strongly about teaming up with two premier growers in the Midwest and Eastern parts of the United States,” said Mast.
Mast added that the Alliance also allows the program to extend the seasonal availability of KIKU® brand apples. KIKU® apples are currently available from Rice Fruit Company, will be available from Applewood Orchards Inc. in Michigan, in mid-November and then available out of the Northwest in mid-January. North American availability along with KIKU® apples available out of the southern Hemisphere in the Spring and Summer months may eventually lead to a year round program with tonnage increases as new orchards begin to produce more fruit each season.
Steadily growing in popularity, KIKU® apples have attained a devoted following among apple connoisseurs who adore their super sweet flavor and overall aromatic intensity. Vice President of Rice Fruit Company, John Rice, describes the quality of this year’s eating experience as out of this world. “With optimal weather conditions this season our fruit colored up nicely, grew large in size and became very sweet in flavor,” he said. In addition to their super sweet flesh, consumers are raving that this year’s KIKU® apples are so juicy you will need a napkin to wipe the juice from your face.
KIKU® apples are very exotic with a super sweet taste, crunchy flesh, and high juice content. Visually, KIKU® apples stand out from the crowd, with their distinctive striping and ruby-red coloration. These features all have a positive effect on your senses as you enjoy KIKU® apples. Perfect for snacking, salads and cooking, KIKU® apples are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed by all.
Source: Columbia Marketing International (CMI)
