YAKIMA, Wash. – Opal®, the highly-acclaimed apple creating a frenzy in the category, is currently turning consumer heads and satisfying fans’ insatiable appetites at retailers nationwide.
Available in both conventional and organic varieties, Opals are known for their distinctive crunch, sweet yet tangy flavor and natural resistance to oxidation – making them the perfect apple for snacking and including in holiday entertaining and recipes.
“Fans continued to ask for Opals after the season had ended and counted down the days until they arrived in stores this Fall,” said Chuck Zeutenhorst, general manager of FirstFruits Marketing of Washington. “We’re very excited to give Opal fans new and old the chance to enjoy this uniquely delicious apple throughout the holiday season and well into the New Year.”
The Opal program is fully supported at retail with high-graphic packaging, point-of-sale materials, merchandisers and plenty of opportunity for in-store support. Opal apples are also supported through a comprehensive digital consumer marketing campaign including coupons, geo-targeted advertising, engaging social media content and a family-focused public relations campaign.
Utilizing data including purchasing behaviors obtained through Nielsen, Opal consumer marketing targets consumers based on demographics and location to deliver advertising through multiple mediums including internet searches, webpage content, social media and internet radio.
“The Opal apple has a reputation among consumers of being one of the best they’ve ever tasted,” said Zeutenhorst. “We’re tapping into that reputation and reaching consumers directly where they search for recipes, talk with friends and family about food and prepare their grocery lists.”
Additionally, Opal will again fund youth-based initiatives through the Youth Make a Difference Initiative. Fourteen initiatives were supported in 2015, with each dedicated to serving their communities across the country in which youth ages 6-25 take leadership roles in the project. Each initiative addresses food security and politics, nutrition, agriculture or education.
For more information, please contact East Coast Regional Marketer Dennis Jackson or West Coast Regional Marketer Tim Corkill. Learn more about Opal apples at www.opalapples.com.
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About FirstFruits Marketing of Washington
FirstFruits Marketing is a collaborative apple marketing company owned by Ralph and Cheryl Broetje. Their growers share a commitment to producing high quality fruit while balancing the demands of purpose, people, planet and profit so that a portion of profits can be donated to non-profit missions supporting the underserved. For more Information, visit www.firstfruits.com.
About Opal Apple
Opal apple is known as the apple with a purpose. Grown only in Washington by Broetje and Congdon Orchards, this Golden Delicious-Topaz cross apple variety was introduced by FirstFruits Marketing in 2010 to wide consumer and media acclaim. Its distinctive color, flavor and texture are not the only qualities that make this product unique: Opal apple was created to make a difference in communities across the nation. Every year, FirstFruits Marketing donates a percentage of sales of every case of apples to worthy organizations that address issues like hunger, food safety, sustainability and the environment. UEB 32642 variety apples are grown exclusively by Broetje and Congdon Orchards and distributed under the OPAL® brand name by FirstFruits Marketing in North America.
Source: FirstFruits Marketing of Washington