Top-selling U.S. fruit brands Sunkist Growers, Naturipe Farms and T&G Global’s Envy Apples have launched a new “Fruitastic” promotion for WildBrain’s new animated Strawberry Shortcake series Berry in the Big City (now available on YouTube and Netflix).

According to a recent study, shoppers increased their basket spend by over 50 percent when strawberries and blood oranges were purchased on the same trip compared to the average strawberry trip. Total basket spend increases were also seen with apples and blood oranges trips.

This spring, Naturipe (strawberries and blueberries) is representing WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake character in the berry category, Sunkist is promoting Blood oranges with Strawberry Shortcake’s friend Orange Blossom, and Envy (apples) is celebrating Strawberry Shortcake’s move to Big Apple City in the new series. A complete “Fruitastic” produce takeover featuring images of Strawberry Shortcake and her friends will kick off in May at select U.S. retailers in time for Mother’s Day, with merchandisers provided by the participating produce suppliers. With limited-edition packaging and merchandising displays, in-store promotional opportunities are available for a short time.

“As life-long fans of the original Strawberry Shortcake series, we are thrilled to be partnering with WildBrain, as well as Sunkist and Envy, to celebrate the new series,” says CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of Marketing of Naturipe Farms. “This gives our produce brands a great opportunity to cross-promote all the delicious fruit that is featured in Berry in the Big City and to help establish the next generation of fans of this iconic brand.”

To celebrate the partnership and to prominently feature its strawberries and blueberries, Naturipe has launched an interactive webpage featuring Strawberry Shortcake and Blueberry Muffin that includes new custom recipe videos that inspire users to “bake the world a better place”. This page also includes downloadable activities for kids and grown-ups alike.

Sunkist rolled out limited-edition packaging for Blood oranges, featuring Strawberry Shortcake and Orange Blossom, available in 2lb and 3lb bags at select retailers. Naturipe has POS display signage to support this promotion available for retailers. Envy apples has also created promotional 2lb bags and bins. All three brands have also developed recipes for citrus, berries, and apple fans of all ages.

“This in-store and online promotion is unique, as all three brands come together to celebrate healthy eating and snacking in a ‘fruitastic’ way,” says Christina Ward, Senior Director of Global Marketing at Sunkist. “Our data shows that 62 percent of Blood orange shoppers prefer to eat them as a snack, so we are excited to introduce shoppers to a specialty variety they may have never tried before, like Sunkist Blood oranges.”

“As Strawberry Shortcake and pals ‘bake the world a better place’ in Big Apple City, only the best apple will do,” says Cecilia Flores Paez, Head of Marketing North America at T&G Global. “That’s why Strawberry Shortcake has partnered with Envy apples. Prized for their beautifully balanced sweetness, uplifting fresh aroma, and delightfully satisfying crunch, Envy apples are a perfect ingredient for enjoying both exciting adventures and everyday special moments with the people we love.”

“We’re thrilled that parents and kids – especially moms and daughters – will be able to share their love of Strawberry Shortcake and delicious fruit this spring through our partnership with Sunkist Growers, Naturipe Farms and Envy Apples,” adds Michael Riley, CBO at WildBrain. “These household-name brands are ideal promotional partners in our global Strawberry Shortcake franchise programme, designed to inspire and delight kids through new content, toys, games, books, music, events and more.”

WildBrain’s new series, Berry in the Big City, invites fans to join Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City, with her friends Orange Blossom, Lime Chiffon, Lemon Meringue and Blueberry Muffin, as the entrepreneurial girls run their fabulous food trucks and enjoy daily adventures filled with laughter and singing.

For more information, visit these unique landing pages: Naturipe, Envy and Sunkist.