‘Core Facts’ Video series inspired by FAQs from customers

Sparta, Mich.  – Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc. has released the first seven videos in its ‘Core Facts’ series of educational training videos for produce department managers and staff, as well as retail, wholesale and food service apple buyers.

“We got to thinking about how many of the same apple questions that each of us on the sales desk receive from buyers, and sometimes produce department staff who may be new to representing apples in the retail environment,” said  Don Armock, Riveridge president.  “For every person who calls with an apple question there are probably many more people in the business who have that same question.”

“We’re using the YouTube platform and our new website to make some short “lessons” available to educate many people on these frequently-asked apple questions,” he said.  “At the end of the day, it improves knowledge on the sales floor and improves customer satisfaction with their apples.”

The series of ‘Core Facts’ videos may be found at the Riveridge Produce channel on YouTube, as well as on the Riveridge’s new website (www.riveridgeproduce.com and https://riveridgeproduce.com/about-us/why-do-we-do-that/videos/).

The videos are 2-3 minutes in length, produced by a local videographer, and deal with single subjects including ….

  • Why are apples waxed?
  • Why are apples sometimes red inside?
  • How do you keep apples from getting bruised?
  • and other topics.

“With the advent of iPads® and other tablets, as well as smart phones in the grocery environment, having simple videos for training or to answer shoppers’ questions in a mobile format, we believe will be very helpful to produce retailers,” Armock said.  “ ‘Core Facts’ are part of our plan to provide product support – including apple facts and marketing information – to our customers.”

Michigan is the nation’s second-largest apple producing state the last two years.  Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc., is a leading-edge vertically integrated apple grower/packer/ shipper located in Sparta, Michigan.  The company ships over one-third of the apples grown in Michigan, from more than 110 family-run apple orchards across the state and in Wisconsin.  Riveridge sells apples into 26 states and a dozen foreign countries in most years.