YAKIMA, WA - Apple lovers everywhere have a great reason to celebrate, as Cosmic Crisp^® apples are still in season in the lead up to summer. Thanks to an increased volume of the Washington State-grown apple, shoppers will be able to find the delicious variety in grocery stores nationwide. In celebration of this budding retail opportunity, the brand announced it is launching new recipes to pair with its retail promotions and a hot air balloon tour.

“It took over 20 years of classic breeding, research, and development through Washington State University to perfect the Cosmic Crisp apple. And it’s only been on retail shelves for a total of 12 months,” said Kathryn Grandy, Chief Marketing Officer for Proprietary Variety Management, the company leading marketing efforts for the brand. “Our strong performance in the category is a testament to consumer reception of this new apple. With higher volumes and additional secondary products coming, the Cosmic Crisp will continue to differentiate the retailers that merchandise and promote the brand.”

In the upcoming weeks, Cosmic Crisp apples will be promoted at a large regional retail chain with over 250 locations, according to a press release. Signage will adorn the produce department to direct shoppers to the Cosmic Crisp website to see a diverse menu of alluring summer dishes like the plant-based apple burger or an apple and cherry pie recipe developed by best-selling author Erin McDowell, who wrote the Book on Pie. Consumers will also have a chance to win McDowell’s cookbook through the brand’s social media channels.

“We are thrilled to have another great month of Cosmic Crisp supply, and fresh ways to enjoy just in time as many of us look forward to safely hosting gatherings again,” continued Grandy. “It is the ideal time to promote the brand while the last of these beauties are on the market.”

In addition to these promotions, Cosmic Crisp will appear in June’s outdoor entertaining themed issue of Real Simple Magazine. But the efforts to shine a light on this beloved brand doesn’t stop there. In fact, Cosmic Crisp is taking to the skies with its latest strategy, as a custom-shaped Cosmic Crisp hot air balloon is set to make its debut in multiple festivals across the country.

The Cosmic Crisp hot air balloon will be present at the following festivals:

• Red River Balloon Rally, June 12, in Shreveport, Louisiana
• Balloons Over Bend, July 23–25, in Bend, Oregon
• National Balloon Classic, July 30–August 7, in Indianola, Indiana
• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October 2–10, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, November 19–21, in Palm Springs, California

As these exciting new promotions ramp up, shoppers are sure to head to their local produce department in search of the Cosmic Crisp, so stock up and give your consumers what they’re looking for!

Cosmic Crisp®