McDonald's To Make Apple Slices A Staple in Happy Meals

By Growing Produce Staff|November 1, 2011

New York apple industry leaders and McDonald’s franchise owners are celebrating not only a smart business move, but a unified step towards a more healthy youth in America. McDonald’s and the New York Apple Association have teamed up the replace French fries with apple slices as the side dish in the ever popular Happy Meal. Slices of New York’s Empire and Gala apples will now be a staple in the smiling red boxes, and were chosen strategically for maximum enjoyment.

“The Empire has a white flesh that holds together when sliced, it doesn’t crumble,” explains Jim Allen, President of the New York Apple Association, “and the Gala is a logical choice due to how sweet it is.” The apples will be peeled in the Happy Meals, unlike those used in the salad and oatmeal, so color wasn’t a deciding factor when choosing the perfect fruit for the kids’ meal.

“This move will increase growers’ markets significantly,” says Allen. McDonald’s, he explains, has made apple slices an available option in Happy Meals for years, but only about 13% of customers took advantage of this option. Now 100% will. “It’s a win-win situation for the industry and the consumers,” Allen states, “We applaud McDonald’s for taking this step.”

Last year McDonald’s sold more than 220 million Happy Meals in the U.S. Now parents can rest assured that they are making the right choice for their children, and growers can be proud that their products are reaching an optimal audience.