Apple Growers, USApple Partner To Support Education
August 20, 2015 
U.S. Apple Association (USApple), apple growers, and partner brands launch Apples for Education: Buy an Apple, Help a Student, to help promote apples as a healthy snack for students. This seasonal consumer education campaign helps fund classroom projects nationwide. Every time a consumer snacks, snaps, tags, and shares a picture of enjoying an apple or related product, apple growers will pledge financial support to student causes across the country.
Program partners (“Apple Buddies”) include Marzetti, Roth Cheese, and Johnsonville Sausage, and new sponsor KIND Snacks.
“With the backing of these great brands, Apples for Education builds on the time-honored, iconic association between apples and education and will not only encourage consumers to eat apples and apple products, but also contribute to the well-being of kids in the classroom,” said Wendy Brannen, director, consumer health and public relations, USApple. “This goodwill campaign – which we hope will become a perennial cause program for our industry – conveys that our industry and apples support not only healthy bodies, but also healthy minds.”
Through Sept. 1, USApple is calling on members of the education community — teachers, counselors, administrators — to nominate their student causes at Apples4Ed.com. Examples of projects are school gardens, educational field trips, athletic equipment, musical instruments, classroom textbooks, library e-readers, nutrition education programs, and the like.
“We’re requesting members of our industry help spread the word to teachers, school administers, and others in the education field across the country so they are aware of this opportunity for project funding,” Brannen said. “We are seeking diverse causes across multiple states so that our members, program partners, and even retailers have the chance to get involved at the local level and encourage voting in their communities.”
On Sept. 25, USApple will unveil its selected nominees on the new Apples4Ed.com microsite, encouraging individuals to: SNACK: Grab an apple, applesauce, apple juice or Apple Buddy product; SNAP: Snap a pic enjoying it; TAG: Name their favorite nominated school project and tag #Apples4Ed; and SHARE: Share the pic on Apples4Ed.com or Instagram to “vote” for the school cause.
For every picture consumers share, USApple and partners pledge funds to the nominated causes. Through mid-November, USApple will collect photos and tally the votes. Along the way, USApple will encourage participation with weekly drawings whereby participants can win Apple gift cards and have money donated directly to their selected project. The cause with the most votes gets the highest donation, and all selected projects will receive funds.
In addition to student cause profiles, the Apples4Ed.com site will feature content on apples’ health benefits, highlight important apple facts, share information on top varieties, and feature original recipes developed by Top Chef fan-favorite Dave Martin that pair apples with Apple Buddy products. USApple, its members and partners will also publicize the program through direct outreach to educators, bloggers, and media; special activities on its social channels, including Twitter parties, Facebook promotions, and special Instagram, and Pinterest campaigns; and media events, such as a National Apple Month radio tour.
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