Eastern Apples are HERE!

The CRACK of biting into a Honeycrisp,

The TASTE of a mild, sweet Gala,

The SMELL of apple crisp baking made with Ginger Golds…

It’s the end of August and Fresh Crop Eastern Apples are HERE!

The beginning of September is when retailers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will want to adjust their produce counters to make room for fresh crop Eastern Apples.  During late August and into September growers in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York are picking their early varieties.  Here are some of the top selling kinds you’ll want to feature to your shoppers who are eager to embrace the fall season even before it officially arrives:

Honeycrisp Apples, a variety introduced by the University of Minnesota in the early 1990s, have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years as one of the ultimate snacking apples.  Why?  The eating experience is tremendous thanks to their explosively crisp texture that fractures apart as you bite in, and for their delightful sweet and tart flavor.  The 2015 crop is looking good and trending to larger sized fruit.

Gala Apples, a cross between Golden Delicious and Kidds Orange varieties developed in New Zealand back in the 1960s, have seemingly over-taken Red Delicious as the go-to “EVERYBODY” apple for snacking and salads.  Galas are juicy and sweet with an approachable, mild flavor that the whole family likes.

Ginger Gold Apples were a chance seedling discovered in the 1960s with what is believed to be Albemarle Pippen and Golden Delicious parentage. The fruit is harvested in August and is the preferred “all-purpose” apple for late summer and early fall for many East Coasters.  Ginger Gold are sweet-tart and nicely juicy.  Their old-fashioned flavor and texture makes them ideal for homemade apple sauce, pies, apple crisp and other baking. They are also good for snacking and salads.

Paula Red and early McIntosh are also in season for September.

Four Seasons Produce is offering fresh crop Eastern Apples in 40lb tray packed boxes, 12/3lb poly bags and 8/5lb handled tote bags from Hess Brothers Fruit based in Lancaster, PA.  Pop-up display bins for tote merchandising or secondary displays are available by request.

Contact your Sales Representative or Produce Merchandiser for promotional ideas, pack sizes, availability and pricing.