New York Apple Sales working with Smitten apples
 

One of the leading New York state apple producer and shipper, and importer of some of the leading proprietary apple varieties, Glenmont, NY-based New York Apple Sales (NYAS) plans to feature its full line of classic New York state legacy apples at the New England Produce Council Expo, Sept. 12-13, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston.

Vice President of Marketing, Jim Allen, told The Produce News that the company will be at Booth No. 304.

We’ll be helping to unveil the new Smitten apple campaign this fall. The Smitten apple will be the official Pink Ribbon Apple partnering with the Susan. G. Komen group.
— Jim Allen, VP of Marketing at New York Apples Sales

"I'll be joined by Josh Cushing, vice president of sales, and Michael Harwood, sales representative," said Allen.

"Together, we'll be proudly promoting our classic New York State legacy apples, featuring, Gala, Ginger Gold, McIntosh and Honey Crisp, as well as the new and exciting SnapDragon apple, which is exclusive to New York state producers."

Allen added that NYAS is also excited to be working alongside Don Zornes and the Smitten apple marketing group.

"We'll be helping to unveil the new Smitten apple campaign this fall," he pointed out. "The Smitten apple will be the official Pink Ribbon Apple partnering with the Susan. G. Komen group."

The search for what is coined as "world's most irresistible easting apple" began in New Zealand, and ultimately led to the Smitten, which originated from a cross of Falstaff and Fiesta, and Braeburn and Gala varieties.

"In 2009, seven test trees were planted in North America," explained Allen. "Smitten apples were formally introduced to the United States in 2011 by Pegasus Premier Fruit. Smitten has been celebrated as the most outstanding variety encountered in over decades of worldwide searching for better varieties."

He added that the Smitten's profile is unforgettably crunchy, delicious in natural taste, beautiful and it has excellent handling qualities.

NYAS has enjoyed a near century of apple experience in New York. President and Owner, Kaari Stannard, is a multi-generational family member who learned the business from a young age. She has taken to task, and succeeded, in turning the company into a major force. Today it ships approximately one-third of New York produced apples, and it now imports leading varieties fro New Zealand and Nova Scotia.

"We continue to enjoy, and are proud of, our relationship with Next Best Thing and related marketing groups to offer the SweeTango apple to select retailers," noted Allen. "We are thrilled with the quality and size of SweeTango this season. Consumers continue to rave about its amazing crunch and flavor."

NYAS works with a number of retailers on customized programs. And, it's growers continue to plant the most popular new varieites.

"Agressive planting of KORU, Smitten, EverCrisp, Ambrosia, SnapDragon and RubyFrost are ongoing," Allen pointed out. "Our packing facilities continue to expand, and we continually reinvest in cutting-edge packing and sorting equipment to best serve our customers.

"As with every year at the NEPC expo, we look forward to the great opportunity to meet face to face with our loyal customers and prospective new customers to share ideas and to further promote our outstanding lineup of apples, he added.

Read the original article on page 72: theproducenews.com