Zespri’s SunGold and Green Kiwifruit are the perfect snack for the back-to-school season, the company says.
As such, Zespri was recognized by Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Best Snack Award for the fifth consecutive year. Zespri’s SunGold Kiwifruit excelled in both nutrition and taste by retail dietitians, culinary pros and at-home testers in the fruit category.
Back-to-school snacks are expected to be strong this season, with global sales projected to exceed $100 billion, driven by parental demand for convenient and healthy options, according to a news release.
“The Good Housekeeping award reinforces our reliability and quality as a healthy snack option, especially as we approach back-to-school,” says Bianca Fiedler, Zespri’s trade marketing director, North America. “It’s nice to be acknowledged by registered dietitians, chefs, culinary pros and consumers for both nutrition and flavor. Our kiwis are nutrient-dense, complete with more than 20 vitamins and minerals, including 100% of recommended daily vitamin C needs, as well as other key nutrients that support overall health, such as fiber, folate and potassium. It’s also easy to eat by cutting in half, scooping and enjoying.”
Zespri says it is the No. 1 brand in the kiwi category, with Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit fueling 49% of total kiwi category growth in the past year, with untapped profit potential in the category, the company says. When looking at the total fruit bowl, kiwi is the fastest growing fruit across the department, increasing over 24 points faster than the fruit department growth rate.
“Total kiwi has grown to the No. 15 spot in the fruit bowl over the last three months outpacing categories such as nectarines and plums,” Fiedler says.
Zespri has had a strong start to the season in the U.S. market. Improved distribution across retail and faster sales rates are due to increasing shopper demand, the company says. Additionally, more retailers added Zespri Green Kiwifruit to their assortment.
“Our sales growth and shopper interest have been robust,” Fiedler says. “It’s been fun to see the omni-channel buzz generated by our Zespri KiwiBrothers brand characters both in and out of the store.”
The KiwiBrothers have been on a mission to spread the kiwi obsession with media sampling and event activations reaching consumers in key markets and driving shoppers to stores. Zespri’s key shopper metrics such as household penetration, repeat rate and buy rate for the brand have all over-indexed versus the same time last season, the company says.
Retailers are being encouraged to stock up so shoppers can find their favorite kiwi brand. They are also encouraged to place their eye-catching shipper unit display near the front of the store for easy snacking solutions and in the produce section for added sales. Zespri’s SunGold and Green Kiwifruit make the perfect healthy lunchbox addition or after-school snack for the back-to-school season.
A parent surveyed from the Good Housekeeping Snacking Award said: “These SunGold Kiwis are my kids’ favorite. A good reminder I need to buy some ASAP.”
SunGold and Green Kiwifruit are both ideal to eat as is or as an ingredient in a number of kid-friendly recipes.
“Retailers can feature these craveable recipes in their weekly circulars or social channels to promote Zespri’s award-winning kiwifruit for back-to-school,” Fiedler says.
