Participate in culinary challenge by Sunkist

The second annual National Sunkist Citrus Day will be held on March 1st, and Sunkist Growers is gearing up for a delicious celebration with a culinary challenge and a contest showcasing multiple varieties.

This winter, the citrus cooperative is bringing sunshine to your tables and putting California-grown citrus in the spotlight with a fun digital series called ‘Sunkist Matchmakers,’ inspired by game shows. As consumers seek creative ways to enhance their home-cooked meals, Sunkist is revamping its website with an engaging landing page filled with information and interactivity. Explore the ‘Matchmaker’ feature, where shoppers can pair a Sunkist citrus variety with a surprise ingredient, sparking instant recipe ideas that will have citrus lovers rushing to their kitchens.

According to Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing at Sunkist Growers, many people view citrus as just a snack, juice, or simple garnish, limiting its potential to enhance a wide range of dishes. Sunkist Growers aims to change this perception by showcasing citrus's remarkable versatility.

Sunkist has partnered with food and lifestyle influencers to create stunning dishes and crafts, all featuring the diverse range of in-season citrus varieties. Adding an extra element of excitement, Sunkist is introducing a mystery ingredient to demonstrate that unexpected pairings can yield spectacular results. The first episode, ‘Kid’s Party,’ will premiere on @SunkistCitrus on Instagram and TikTok this Thursday, February 22, with the remaining episodes ‘Date Night’ and ‘Meatless Mondays’ airing through April.

Moreover, Sunkist collaborates with retailers to generate excitement in-store for National Sunkist Citrus Day. As March 1 approaches, we invite retailers to join our Multi-Variety Display Contest, designed to capture consumer interest and boost sales.

Due to Circana data, citrus sales so far this season are ahead of last year, surpassing total produce and total fruit sales, says Howard and adds that Sunkist wants to build on this momentum by partnering with retailers to create relevant bag programs and strategic bulk displays to continue driving growth in the category this season.

Sunkist's in-season citrus offerings during the winter months include both conventional and organic Navels, Caras, Bloods, lemons, tangelos, California mandarins, and grapefruit. Displays can significantly increase sales, and Sunkist’s new grove bin wraps and classic blue quarter bins are ideal for offering large quantities of fruit this season.

Send your inquiry to learn more about collaboration opportunities with Sunkist Growers.