New York Apple Growers Introduce QR Codes

By Growing Produce Staff|December 28, 2011

The New York Apple Association is promoting a new retail program that allows consumers using smart phones to scan QR codes on point-of-sale cards (POS) to get instant information about New York apple varieties right from the produce aisle.

“We’re trying to delight that sophisticated shopper not only with our fruit, but also with up-to-the-minute information technology,” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association.

“Smart consumers make smart choices when they have the right information,” he said. “These same consumers want information quickly.”
The Apple Association’s new POS material all contain prominent QR codes, which link to online videos that show how New York apples are grown, packaged, and delivered.

The video series, which consist of six different segments showcasing how the apple goes from the tree to the table, were unveiled at the Produce Marketing Association show in Atlanta this fall, with much positive response from retail produce buyers.

“These videos take the viewer from seeing the blossom pollinated and follows it all the way to the produce shelves,” Allen said. “Foodies and localvores want to put a face to the farmer. We accomplish that with this video series.”

The videos were shot in New York orchards and packinghouses this spring and summer.

Retailers across the nation are using the new POS cards. When consumers scan the QR codes, shopping data goes back to the association.
“We continue to get a positive response from retailers,” Allen said.

“For those retailers who want to reach out to their customers, we can give them cutting edge materials that we hope will lead to the sale of more New York apples.”

To view the videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/newyorkapples.