GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Apple harvest is in full-tilt with harvesters working almost sun-up to sundown. Riveridge packing plants are also working 18-20 hours a day, six days a week to sort and pack or store this gorgeous crop of apples. After a year off, it seems like we cannot ship them to shoppers quickly enough!
Apple availability. Cool nights and a mostly-dry fall have combined to create the best possible flavor profiles in apples coming down Riveridge packing channels.
Tasty varieties now available are:
Honeycrisp l Jonathan l Cortland
Empire l Fuji l Golden Delicious
Jonagold l Rome l Red Delicious
Our complete 2013 harvest schedule is available here.
Now implementing: New technology in orchard! Riveridge orchards began testing an innovative vacuum harvester and automated picking platform this month. One of two such machines in the U.S., the vacuum harvester greatly improves worker efficiency and safety by eliminating ladders entirely. Learn more about the vacuum harvester, invented by DBR Conveyor Concepts, of Conklin, MI, here. This month Riveridge also implemented a custom-designed inventory management system for its company-owned and -managed orchards. The hand-held scanner/printer provides real-time data about what’s coming in from the orchards. It also prints food safety traceability tickets at bin-side, and provides work receipts for the harvesters.
Riveridge research suggests regional apples are a retail point of differentiation. Our research last spring found 65 percent of shoppers in Chicago and metro Detroit buy apples weekly – with most of them shopping in multiple stores and channels.
Retailers seeking the extra edge in competing for these apple sales can distinguish themselves by stocking regional varieties and new apple products. While consumers want their favorite apples, they are also always looking for what’s new for dinner or snack time. We’re now shipping a dozen varieties including regional favorites like Jonamac, Cortland, McIntosh and Empire. Jonagold is a large, premium apple that’s also superb from a northern climate. Sample these “new” varieties in the produce department.
Also under “new,” Riveridge has put together 2- and 3-pound easy-stacking clamshells that contain two varieties of apples. And a Bake-Your-Own-Apple-Pie clamshell filled with baking apples. Ask for details when you call (800) 968-8833.
Merchandising tip: “Honeycrisp” endcaps and center aisle displays built around Michigan’s attractive Honeycrisp cartons are a simple way to showcase this high-demand apple. And to keep price points distinct. Visit the Michigan Apple Committee for free Honeycrisp signage, as well as recipe cards and signs for most other Michigan apple varieties.
Quick take:
- Catch Riveridge in Booth 3814 at PMA in New Orleans this October 18-20.
- And see our ads about Riveridge’s “experience advantage” in Produce Business, Produce News and The Packer. Current ads feature field man Rick Zemaitis, sales reps Dawn and Roger Geers, and plant manager Jamie Kober.
Tweetin’ out the latest. For quick updates and photos of Michigan’s comeback apple crop, follow Riveridge Produce on Twitter.
Sincerely,
Dawn Geers Rog Geers Brian Johnson
Melissa Dubridge Russell Comport Don Armock
Denise Donohue