Arctic Apples
Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. is now expanding its non-browning Arctic Apple slices into the food service market, thanks to a huge increase in the crop size for 2019-2020.
“For the first time, this year’s anticipated Arctic apple crop volume will support expanding into food service,” explains Neal Carter, President of OSF. “We’ve been extremely busy planting in the orchards. We expect to have an estimated eight million pounds of Arctic apples for the 2019-2020 season and plan to continue to increase availability in coming years.”
The company plans to make freshly sliced Arctic Apples available to food service customers in 40 oz. bags of both Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny varieties, along with a 100 count case of 2 oz. packages. OSF expects to continue the expansion of retail availability of Arctic Apples this fall.
OSF is also starting to market directly to the industry through B2B conferences. OSF introduced the non-browning apple slices to a receptive food service industry at the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) recent Food service Show in Monterey, California.
“It was exciting for us to exhibit at the PMA Food service show for the first time and to give attendees the opportunity to experience the orchard freshness of Arctic Golden fresh slices,” said J.F. Gamelin, Director of Sales for OSF. “Arctic apples’ non-browning trait offers a key benefit to the food service industry – including less prep, less waste and better taste.”
Developed through bioengineering, Arctic apples fresh slices help reduce unnecessary food waste across the supply chain with their 28-day shelf life, compared to the 18-21 day industry average, and the fact they don’t turn brown after being sliced.