Photo: Contributed

The recently approved in Canada and extremely controversial Arctic Apple has a new face leading the charge of getting the genetically modified apples on store shelves.

A 30-year veteran of the produce industry, Jennifer Armen, has been named director, business development and marketing for the Summerland company, Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF).

Armen has been working as a consultant for the company since July 2009, and will now be an official employee of OSF’s parent company, Intrexon Corporation. OSF was sold to Intrexon in February for $41 million. 

“Jennifer has been a driving force in the development and approval processes for non-browning Arctic apples, not to mention her importance in our public education and industry outreach efforts,” explains OSF president Neal Carter. “She has been an integral part of our team at OSF for years, and we are thrilled that she is now dedicating her full-time efforts to our management team.”

In her now expanded role, Armen will drive OSF’s business strategy to market the firm’s non-browning Arctic apple varieties and will oversee all aspects of commercial development for the company.

“OSF’s passion for improving the food we produce through innovation is second-to-none, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help introduce Arctic apples, and many other value-added biotech products which will offer value throughout the supply chain,” says Armen.

Arctic apples received commercial approval in Canada and the U.S. earlier this year, and Armen will be working with OSF’s partners to bring the company’s first two non-browning varieties, Arctic Granny and Arctic Golden to market.

According to the company, she will also be responsible for the development of new market initiatives, assessing new markets and analyzing business opportunities for OSF.