Apple Varieties Tip Off For First-Ever National Tournament

Throughout March (National Nutrition Month), U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is encouraging people to pick their all-time favorite apple by hosting the first-ever “Apple Madness” tournament – a five-week, five-round online competition spotlighting 32 apple varieties and fresh health facts.

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USApple Apple MadnessTipping off last week, Apple Madness features USApple and apple industry members encouraging people to take part in a bracket-style tournament by voting for their favorite varieties. Among the 32 featured in Apple Madness:  Veteran varieties such as ‘Empire,’ ‘Fuji,’ ‘Red Delicious,’ and ‘Granny “Slam Dunk” Smith;’ rising stars such as ‘“Hoops” Honeycrisp’ and ‘Pink Lady;’ and rookies to watch like ‘SweeTango,’ ‘“Jumpball” Jazz’ and ‘SnapDragon.’

The first-week round — The “Fresh 32”— (March 1-6) featured all 32 apples seeded in 16 match-ups. People can view and vote on each match-up while learning about healthy apple research. The top apples from week one advance to the “Vitamin-C Sixteen” round, which tipped off March 7.  The “Edible Eight” round starts March 14, with the “Fiber Four” round beginning March 21.  Finally, the “National Chomp-ionship” round to determine the ultimate winner apple variety will be held March 28-31.

Throughout the tournament, participants can enter to win a host of apple-related prizes from Borton Fruit, Chelan Fresh, Knouse Foods, Michigan Apples, New York Apple Association, Pennsylvania Apples, Red Jacket Orchards, Sage Fruit, Tree Top, and Washington Apple Commission.

“It’s National Nutrition Month, so why not celebrate by combining two of our favorite things? Apples and March Madness!” Wendy Brannen, Director of Consumer Health and Public Relations, USApple, said. “With Apple Madness, we want to tap into the popularity of the preeminent cultural event that is March Madness to not only encourage people to share their favorite apple varieties, but also learn important health facts about apples along the way. We can’t wait to see which apples advance and which variety takes home the trophy.”

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