As more children of millennials reach school age, the demand for nutritious foods to feed them when they’re away from home will continue to surge. Producers of fresh fruits and vegetables and their retail partners are there to meet the demand with creative back-to-school promotions.

Vancouver, B.C.-based Oppy has a wide variety of fresh produce options for back-to-school, said Audrey Desnoyers, director of business development and key account management.

Among the products the company will be promoting this year:

  • Ocean Spray strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries;
  • Happy Berry hydroponic strawberries, grapes and citrus;
  • Zespri kiwifruit available in both green and SunGold; and
  • Envy and Jazz apples.

“They’re all perfect for lunchboxes, backpacks and grab-and-go, fueling kids with the nutrients they need all day long,” Desnoyers said. “Oppy prides itself in being a one-stop-shop for all back-to-school produce needs, which includes POS, digital ads, social media content and more.”

The Ocean Spray label continues to grow for Oppy, she added. And the company expects to ship big volumes of smaller Envy and Jazz for back-to-school, which are a perfect size for kids and for bag promotions.

At back-to-school time, Oppy encourages its retail partners to attract attention at front-of-store with prominent displays featuring back-to-school items, Desnoyers said.

Many back-to-school items – citrus, kiwifruit and apples, for example – don’t require refrigeration, which makes them a great option for featuring near retailer school supply hubs, she added.

“Produce can be merchandised alongside lunchboxes and backpacks in our eye-catching, branded display bins.”

Back-to-school has become an increasingly important part of Oppy’s marketing program as parents look for healthier options for their kids.

Oppy looks forward to a strong segue into back-to-school with its mid-summer Orchard View cherries deal out of The Dalles, Ore.

Supplies should peak throughout July and wind down about Aug. 10, with excellent quality and size expected, Desnoyers said.