The Importance of the APC and APPB Working Together
The American Pecan Council (APC), approved in 2016, and the American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB), approved in 2021, are very similar programs. They both utilize industry assessments for marketing and research purposes. They are both mandated programs regulated by the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA. And they are both voted on by growers. However,...
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Marketing pecans in the health professional space
Over the past few years, marketing to health professionals has been a top priority for the American Pecan Council. We have identified these passionate and educated individuals as a key segment of our target audience to educate and get the word out about the impressive nutrition benefits of America’s Native Supernut. In the era of...
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QAP, Council Member elections, and revised Standards— oh my!
We are halfway through 2022, and it has already been such a busy year for the pecan industry. Some recent developments have included finalizing the drafted voluntary Quality Assurance Program (QAP) and opening the comment period for the revised U.S. pecan industry inshell and shelled meat standards. On top of that, voting for the American...
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Pecan successes in grocery and retail
This month, we highlight three major successes for the American pecan industry with data pulled from Information Resources, Inc. (IRI). You may be wondering, “What is IRI data?” IRI is retail-based scanner data collected from a large sample of grocery stores across the United States. Through our subscription purchase of this data, we are provided...
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USDA supports APC’s export activities in big way
The American Pecan Council (APC) has seen a growth in export activities and funding in the last three years as the U.S. pecan industry’s unified efforts bear fruit. APC has been working hand in hand with USDA to create an international marketing strategy to further develop consumer-focused marketing efforts in China and Germany. Thanks to...
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U.S. Pecan Industry’s Quality Assurance Program Open for Comment
Fort Worth, Texas—The American Pecan Council (APC) has released the draft of the voluntary Quality Assurance Program (QAP) for the U.S. pecan industry for public comment and will be collecting feedback through our QAP survey (link below). The public comment period for the voluntary Quality Assurance Program will run from Thursday, April 28, 2022, through...
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Next steps for voluntary Quality Assurance Program
BACKGROUND OF THE PROGRAM This year is certainly moving full speed ahead with the dawn of Q2 upon us. U.S. agriculture is in a pivotal and transformative era, leading the food and agriculture supply chain to find new ways of building resilience to combat impacts on food supply. The onset of the pandemic accelerated fundamental...
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American Pecans’ marketing milestones
2017 was a monumental year for the American Pecan industry. Uniting to support the passage of a Federal Marketing Order, we commenced our first large-scale, domestic marketing effort. Our collective endeavor to increase domestic demand has produced impressive results; in fact, our integrated marketing efforts—which began with Weber Shandwick less than five years ago—have resulted...
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Looking ahead at APC’s 2022 activities
In the pecan referendum, 63 percent of voting pecan producers, who represented 71 percent of the volume of pecans produced by those voting, were in favor of continuing the program. This can largely be attributed to the industry’s successes in the FMO’s first five years. These wins include: Accelerated demand for pecans, with 36 percent...
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Pecan Growth for 2020-2021 Crop Year
Every year, the American Pecan Council, as the Federal Marketing Order (FMO) for the U.S. pecan industry, creates a marketing policy statement that includes recaps and projections for the upcoming fiscal year. These marketing policy statements are approved each year during the August Council meeting in preparation for the pecan industry’s new fiscal year beginning...
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A Peek into the Pecan Powerhouses Network
In our last article, we shared the various marketing activations we’ve engaged in this past year to reach the eyes and minds of a crucial audience—health professionals and registered dieticians. These individuals educate and engage with consumers as experts in health, nutrition, and wellness; they advise people on what to eat. So, by reaching them,...
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2021 recap of APC’s marketing in health and nutrition sphere
Reaching the eyes and minds of health professionals is crucial to gain a competitive advantage in the health and food marketplace. APC contracted with Eat Well Global to help boost pecans in the health and nutrition arena. The strategic goal for APC’s marketing activities through Eat Well Global was “to increase top-of-mind awareness of pecans...
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FMO—201
In 2016, after years of dreaming and working to develop a Federal Marketing Order (FMO), our historically divided industry came together and established the American Pecan Council for the common goal of building awareness and demand for American Pecans. In the beginning stages of the FMO, consumer research was conducted and showed pecans lagged tremendously...
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American Pecans in China — a growing history
Building on our domestic success From the start of our Federal Marketing Order, the American Pecan Council has been working to grow domestic awareness and support to increase demand for American Pecans, including the official consumer-facing brand, American Pecans, which successfully launched in spring 2018. From our brand launch pop-up shop in New York City...
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Reaching consumers through credentialed wellness professionals
A key audience the American Pecan Council has identified and been pleased to gain inroads into is the world of credentialed health and wellness professionals (registered dietitian nutritionists, physicians, nurses, fitness professionals, etc.). This community of highly engaged and influential individuals is passionate about promoting holistic, healthy living and educating those who look to them...
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How pecan-centric consumer research and trends inform our marketing strategy
The American Pecan Council exists to drive awareness and ultimately demand for American Pecans. To successfully raise the bar each year, we must ensure we’re addressing the right people, in the right places, with the most impactful and effective messages. That’s where consumer research comes in. Why Research Matters For marketing dollars to reach the...
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APC marketing recap for the mid-year
The American Pecan Council had its biannual meeting on April 28 to discuss mid fiscal year updates on activities approved in the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget. The topics of discussion included Grades and Standards, Industry Relations, and Domestic and International Marketing. During the marketing presentation, APC staff provided a recap of the first and second...
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Pecan Federal Marketing Order—the who, what, and why
The American Pecan Council (APC) is the Federal Marketing Order (FMO) for the U.S. pecan industry representing all pecan stakeholders across 15 growing states, from North Carolina to California, with USDA oversight. Industry came together in 2016 to create the pecan Federal Marketing Order to address the want and need to engage in widespread marketing...
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Recap—APC’s first quarter marketing activities and campaign
With the first quarter in the books, APC’s 2020-2021 Fiscal Year marketing activities are off to a strong start. We seek to keep the momentum going in the second quarter and beyond! Consumer Campaign – American Pecans Went Viral! The Super Safe Pecan Debate was American Pecans’ most successful campaign to date, with over 272...
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AHA’s “Heart-Check Mark” Certifies American Pecans
February is American Heart Month, which supports the priority of heart health and research and encourages healthier lifestyles in American consumers. In this article, the American Pecan Council will share information on the American Heart Association (AHA), its Heart-Check mark, and how you can utilize the symbol. WHAT IS THE HEART-CHECK MARK CERTIFICATION? The American...
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Pecan Market Challenges & Victories in 2020
Over the last few months, the American Pecan Council has received several questions about the pecan market. Specifically, what impact has COVID-19 had on the movement of pecans? What is happening with exports? Where are we in terms of inventory? Is the APC marketing order working? With all the crises in the U.S. and the...
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APC Campaign Calls All Healthy Snackers
COVID-19 has changed consumer behaviors worldwide. Recent data states that 54 percent of consumers are cooking and baking more. There has also been a 39 increase in snack category sales—both healthy and indulgent. Consumers are very concerned with their health. Google searches for immunity boosters like antioxidants, healthy diets like Keto or Mediterranean, and plant-based...
Read moreAPC Activities Update: Adapting and Preparing in 2020
Entering into the final stretch of the current crop year, the American Pecan Council updates industry members on its many activities, projects, and industry initiatives. This update on APC activities and ongoing projects include increasing pecan awareness, expanding industry efforts, and releasing accessible and transparent data for all. Marketing Successes – Increasing Pecan Awareness 2019...
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Marketing American Pecans During a Pandemic
Entering the full swing of summer feels a bit strange this year. In a season when we’re used to vacations, family reunions and neighborhood barbecues, this summer may look different for many of us. The impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic stretch far and wide, from major cities to small towns, and have affected so...
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Part 2—Catch Up on the National Marketing Campaign, Q&A with the APC
In last month’s issue of Pecan South, marketing committee members from each growing region—Lalo Medina, Phillip Arnold, and Trent Mason—sat down to discuss successes to date and how the American Pecan Council’s marketing efforts have evolved since the launch of the first-ever consumer brand for American Pecans in April of 2018. Now, Chairman of the...
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Catch Up on the National Marketing Campaign, Q&A with the APC
The American Pecan Council launched the first-ever consumer brand for American Pecans in April of 2018. Marketing Committee members from each growing region—Lalo Medina, Phillip Arnold, and Trent Mason—sat down to discuss successes to date and how marketing efforts have evolved. Q: What are some of the big accomplishments so far? Phillip Arnold: It’s hard...
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Whole Wheat Pecan Banana Muffins
Whole Wheat Pecan Banana Muffins From Julie Fagan, Peanut Butter Fingers Total time: 28 minutes Ingredients 3/4 cup whole wheat our 1/2 cup old fashioned oats 2 tbsp. ground ax seeds 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1 egg 3 tbsp. maple syrup 2 1/2 tbsp. MCT oil...
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APC Membership Election Begins, Here’s How to Cast Your Vote
Pecan industry members recently nominated eligible candidates for membership on the American Pecan Council (Council) for the 2020-2024 term of office. The voting period for elections is from April 15 through May 15. The Council will mail an election ballot to all industry members who are on record with the Council within the respective regions....
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The Pecan ThanksEveything Pie Takes America’s Holiday Meal to the Next Level
Fort Worth, TX – Nov. 7, 2019 – The three-bird roast has had its day. The newest holiday food mash-up is here and features America’s signature seasonal ingredient—pecans. Proving they are a hardworking ingredient belonging in every dish, American Pecans is making America’s wildest holiday dreams come true with the debut of the Pecan ThanksEverything Pie—a complete...
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Elevating the Pecan Nutrition Message in 2019 and Beyond
The 2018 launch of American Pecans, The Original Supernut brand to consumers was rooted in three core traits of pecans—taste, heritage, and nutrition. There’s a reason for this. Our research has shown that today’s consumers, particularly our target audience of Gen X and Y moms, care about providing their families wholesome, tasty meals using locally-sourced...
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The American Pecan Council Inspires Americans to #PledgePecans This Holiday Season
The end of the year is a time when many of us take a moment to reflect. It has been an eventful year for the American pecan industry. Certainly, it has come with its challenges—in the form of trade wars, hurricanes, and floods. Though familiar trials for the agriculture industry, there is nothing common about...
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The Power of Partnership: Influential Recipe Developers Promote American Pecans
In last month’s issue, we covered the many ways you, as members of the American pecan industry, can use the new American Pecans, The Original Supernut brand—including sharing delicious recipes created through our partnerships with some of the nation’s top food and nutrition influencers. Since well before the consumer-facing campaign officially launched in late April,...
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Putting the American Pecans Brand to Work for You
Much has been shared about the new American Pecans, The Original Supernut consumer brand and marketing campaign in recent months. From national and local news placements to social media advertising to the “Good Morning America” segment, the American Pecan Council has been hard at work promoting the nutrition, versatility and rich history of pecans to...
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A May Treat
Smoky Pecan Dip From Jessie Snyder, Faring Well, through the American Pecan Council Total 30 minutes Ingredients 1 cup fresh pecan halves 3 cups chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2 cloves garlic 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 heaping teaspoon smoked hot paprika 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Sea salt, to taste 1/4 to 1/2 cup filtered...
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Dive into Spring with Fresh Recipes
Classic Chicken Salad with Pecans From the American Pecan Council Total 40 minutes Ingredients 6 cups water or low sodium vegetable broth 3 large celery stalks, divided 1 onion, peeled and cut into 4 pieces 1/8 teaspoon pepper, plus additional to taste 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (see recipe notes) 3/4 cup toasted...
Read moreTime for a Snack, Time for Pecans
Try this easy and healthy afternoon snack from American Pecan for when the kids and grandkids come home from school or for you after a long day of work. These pecan granola bars are healthy, delicious and something everyone will love!
Read morePecan Federal Marketing Order Industry Guidance for Collecting Assessments in Year One
Ballots have been mailed and elections are underway to fill the grower and handler seats for the American Pecan Council. Once seated, the Council’s first priority will be to develop a budget and set the assessment rate for the 2016-17 crop year. However, this important planning and budgeting phase is not expected to be complete...
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