Sunkist’s Annual Celebration Highlights the Legacy of Citrus Growers and Promotes Fresh, Healthy Options for Consumers

March 1st marks the third official observance of National Sunkist Citrus Day (NSCD), a celebration dedicated to honoring Sunkist Growers’ rich history and the hardworking farmers behind the premium citrus grown for consumers across the nation.

This special day, now officially recognized by the National Day Calendar, shines a spotlight on the multi-generational, family-owned farms that have been cultivating some of the best citrus in the world for over a century.

As the observance approaches, Sunkist is inviting both retailers and consumers to join in this celebration, recognizing the cooperative’s lasting impact on the industry.

The celebration of NSCD not only honors the past but also promotes the future of the citrus category through engaging consumer activations.

“National Sunkist Citrus Day is more than a marketing initiative it’s a tribute to the generations of hardworking growers who have dedicated their lives to nurturing the best citrus possible.”

Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing

Through interactive shopper-marketing experiences, digital promotions, and in-store activations, Sunkist aims to drive awareness of citrus’ role in health, wellness, and culinary enjoyment.

These efforts are designed to encourage shoppers to visit their local produce department and increase citrus consumption.

The timing of the celebration aligns with the peak season for conventional and organic citrus, including varieties such as Navel, Blood, and Cara Cara oranges, as well as lemons, mandarins, grapefruit, and Minneola tangelos.

With the ongoing rise in consumer demand for fresh and healthy foods, Sunkist offers the ideal mix of flavor, nutrition, and versatility for everyday meals.

NSCD provides a perfect opportunity for retailers to highlight these fruits and take advantage of the growing interest in citrus.

In support of retailers, Sunkist is offering a range of new point-of-sale materials, including NSCD-themed header cards, lemons with a zesty twist, ‘Meet Cali™’ clip cards, and an interactive recipe generator.

These resources are designed to help retailers engage customers by showcasing fresh, vibrant citrus and inspiring new ways to incorporate it into daily meals.

Additionally, retailers are encouraged to create large displays, promote Sunkist citrus in weekly circulars, and connect with shoppers on social media using the hashtag #NationalSunkistCitrusDay.

Howard also emphasizes the importance of these seasonal programs in driving sales.

“We continue to see strong consumer engagement across the citrus category, with promotable volumes driving demand,” she notes.

Recent data shows impressive increases in sales of popular citrus varieties: Navel oranges are up by 5%, Blood oranges have grown by 19%, and Cara Cara oranges have seen a notable 27% rise.

This continued growth demonstrates that citrus is a proven basket-builder, and events like National Sunkist Citrus Day provide retailers with an effective way to boost category sales and reach new customers.