Immersive JAZZ symposium hailed a success
26th August 2024
Howfield Manor Hotel in Chartham, Kent, was the destination for the annual JAZZ Apple symposium, with UK growers, team members from Worldwide Fruit and special guests from around the world gathering together to celebrate another busy and positive 12 months for the brand.
Taking place on the 13th August and headed by grower and Worldwide Fruit technical and performance development officer Jeremy Linsell, the annual event provided the perfect surroundings to hear the latest news and commercial data from the brand, to share best practice ahead of the picking season, discuss key threats and opportunities, and plan accordingly to ensure continuous improvement across the orchard and supply chain, the organisers said.
Those attending included growers from Chandler and Dunn, D G Long, and A Hinge & Sons Ltd, guest speakers from T&G and Dalival, while the Worldwide Fruit team featured CEO Steve Maxwell, commercial director Hannah McIlFatrick, and procurement & technical director Tony Harding.
With the JAZZ™Apple sampling van just back from its latest adventure in Glasgow and helping to bring the day and the sampling campaign to life, the growers and guests were also treated to some crisp JAZZ apples, nibbles and even some hula hooping before a tour of the Hinchliffe orchard.
The organisers said that with the British season approaching, JAZZ Apple displayed how its increased availability in supermarkets combined with extensive marketing activity over the past year have helped the brand hit record sales this year.
Busy year
Hannah McIlfatrick, commercial director of Worldwide Fruit Ltd, said: “It’s been a busy year for JAZZ from a commercial and marketing perspective, so this annual symposium is a great way of keeping the growers and key stakeholders informed of our successes, challenges and opportunities.
“With the picking season fast-approaching and the apple’s popularity continuing to rise, it’s also a great opportunity to meet face-to-face, share best practise, update growers on the latest innovations and data findings, plus plan for the future.”
The JAZZ journey
The first British JAZZ Apple crop hit the shops in November 2007. Fast forward 17 years, JAZZ is now available in Marks & Spencer, Ocado, Waitrose, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, Aldi, Booths, Co-op and Lidl.
JAZZ are grown in over ten countries around the world under a closely controlled quality growing programme managed by T&G Global, the company confirmed.
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