Wolcott, N.Y., Oct. 11, 2016 – They’re back! SnapDragon®, the tantalizingly delicious apple with the Monster Crunch, is in stores now but only for a short time. If you haven’t tried them yet, don’t delay!
Crunch Time Apple Growers, the New York state growers of this popular new apple, have teamed up this apple season with food retailers across the nation to sell this exciting new variety. Many stores will be showcasing SnapDragon in eye catching high-graphic bags and display bins. Some retailers will be offering in-store sampling to allow consumers to taste for themselves just how delicious this new apple is.
Robin Leous, Crunch Time’s business manager, reports that consumer response to SnapDragon has been overwhelming with the overall message being that “they wanted more!,” she said. SnapDragon fans have proclaimed it is “wonderfully delicious,” “perfect,” “the best apple I’ve ever eaten,” and “better than Honeycrisp.”
Crunch Time growers are answering consumers’ cries for more SnapDragon apples by planting more trees. Plans are in place to increase total acres over the next three years to better satisfy consumer demand. As trees mature, more fruit will be available to satisfy the increasing demand.
For fans in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Crunch Time Apple Growers has partnered with the Tri-State Tough Mudder race Oct. 8-9, to provide apples to participating athletes. Mark Russell, SnapDragon grower and Crunch Time’s marketing committee chairman, says the brand wanted to support an event that embodies the fun and flavor of SnapDragon, and this popular 10-mile obstacle course event was just the ticket. “Our goal is to get the apples into the mouths of consumers and we can’t wait to see those muddy faces take their first bite!” said Russell. “Customer satisfaction is what inspires us as growers.”
Created by the apple experts at New York’s Cornell University, SnapDragon was created using old-fashioned cross-breeding, with the popular Honeycrisp as one of its parents. These apples, along with the new RubyFrost® variety also bred by Cornell, are grown exclusively by Crunch Time Apple Growers. The cooperative’s 145 grower members follow exacting growing and packing standards to ensure consumers have a great eating experience. The first SnapDragon orchards were planted in 2011, and the first apples arrived in supermarkets in 2013. Production has been increasing rapidly from year to year, as orchards mature and bear more fruit.