Big season ahead for peaches, nectarines, pears, plums and grapes

For immediate release

Niagara, ON, July 15, 2014 – Ontario tender fruit and fresh grape growers are pleased to announce the kick-off to the season. Local fruit is fresh, flavourful, and the 2014 crop is looking spectacular.

With assistance from the Local Food Fund and Foodland Ontario, many promotional activities will be launched this summer. In-store display bins will arrive to retailers along with a complete retail sales kit featuring display posters and recipes with care & handling tips for the consumer. Sampling programs will also be available at select retailers and locations to offer a taste of some of your favourite Ontario tender fruit.

To coincide with the season, we will be featuring a new social media campaign and photo contest on our Facebook page. In order to qualify, contestants will have to submit a photo of themselves enjoying Ontario tender fruit. Winners will receive gift cards to their favourite grocery retailer. Entries will be accepted through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 Trends continue for Ontario residents to support and buy local and we will get the word out on availability with advertising on TTC subways, buses and digital signs, as well as cross-promotional opportunities with some of the largest food brands in Canada.

 “The Local Food Fund has given us a great opportunity to spread the word about Ontario grown fruit,” says Sarah Marshall, General Manager. “We are very excited with our new initiatives and we anticipate great results from the increased exposure.”

Below is a list of approximate starting dates and duration of the season for Ontario tender fruit and fresh grapes at your local retailer:

Yellow Plums - July 15 – 6 weeks
Tart Cherries in Pails – July 19 (only in stores for a limited time)
Peaches – July 21 – 8 weeks
Nectarines – August 4 – 8 weeks
Coronation Grapes – August 15 - 6 weeks
Bartlett Pears – August 17 – 8 weeks
Blue Plums – early varieties mid- August; main varieties – early September – 4 weeks
Bosc Pears – September 22 – 8 weeks

Phil Tregunno, Chair of the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers’ Marketing Board, looks forward to a prosperous season for growers. “There is no region in the world quite like this. We have the perfect conditions to grow a wide variety of tree ripened fresh fruit. The dedication to quality shown by growers in Ontario is what makes our products the best taste experience available.”

Dave Lambert, Chair of the Ontario Fresh Grape Board, wants consumers to seek out the Ontario coronation grape this season at their grocery store. “The coronation grape has a unique flavour profile versus the standard table grape.” Great eaten out of hand, in salads or for baking, the coronation is a gem of a grape.

The Ontario Tender Fruit Producers and Fresh Grape Growers are not for profit, independent farming organizations, governed by grower members. Ontario's tender fruit and fresh grape crops have an annual farm gate value of approximately $60 million. Visit ontariotenderfruit.ca.

For more information:

Sarah Marshall, General Manager – 905-688-0990 or sarah@ontariotenderfruit.ca

For media please contact:

Mark Chyz, Marketing Co-ordinator – mark@ontariotenderfruit.ca