Two Growing Regions. One Seamless Supply. A New Season of Opportunities

September 8, 2026 | 3 min to read

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At FirstFruits, we believe exceptional fruit starts with exceptional people, thoughtful stewardship, and a commitment to growing something greater than apples. As a premier grower, packer, and shipper of premium apples and cherries, we’re proud to continue expanding the ways we serve our partners with a dependable, coast-to-coast supply.

The 2026-2027 season will be FirstFruits 3rd harvest season since acquiring Applewood Fresh Growers in Michigan, bringing together two world-class apple-growing regions under one unified FirstFruits family. With orchards in both Washington and Michigan, we’re able to offer greater variety, extended seasonal availability, and a stronger, more resilient supply chain that helps retailers keep premium apples on shelves throughout the year.

We’re also excited to launch our newly redesigned website, where visitors can explore everything FirstFruits has to offer—from our Washington orchards in the Pacific Northwest to our Michigan growing region in the Great Lakes. The new site showcases our expanded capabilities, diverse apple portfolio, and the people behind the fruit, making it easier than ever to discover how FirstFruits is delivering quality from two exceptional growing regions with one seamless supply. Check it out at www.firstfruits.com.

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 Opal® apple season beginning this October, we’re excited to introduce a fun new way for shoppers to engage with one of our most recognizable varieties. This season marks the launch of Opal® Smiles, an interactive PLU sticker collection and rewards program designed to bring families back to the produce department again and again.

With Opal® Smiles, shoppers collect the PLU stickers from their Opal® apples and place them on a tracker sheet to unlock exclusive prizes as they reach new milestones. The program transforms every apple purchase into an opportunity for continued engagement, encouraging repeat purchases while creating a memorable, interactive experience for consumers of all ages.

For retailers, Opal® Smiles offers a fresh merchandising opportunity that goes beyond the display, helping generate excitement at shelf, increase shopper loyalty, and keep apples top of mind throughout the season. The beautifully bright yellow color break, combined with crispy, sweet, and naturally non-browning qualities that make Opal® apples a fan favorite, this promotional campaign is set to make the 2026–2027 season our most engaging yet. Learn more about the Opal® Smiles reward program at www.opalapples.com.

As always, we’re excited to showcase at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in October! Visit us at Booth #3977 to experience the FirstFruits difference firsthand. Discover innovative merchandising ideas, explore our expanded portfolio, and learn how our proven retail programs help drive shopper excitement, increase sales, and build lasting loyalty. We look forward to seeing friendly faces and exploring new partnerships to continue bringing exceptional flavor, dependable quality, and fresh opportunities to the produce aisle.