Vienna, Va. – They haven’t even had time to make media calls, and already U.S. Apple Association (USApple)’s fall seasonal campaign is off with a bang. With eleven school projects from across the country competing for funding, those in the running were anxious to hit the ground running this weekend—one school in Michigan even organizing an “Apples for Education” event outside the local Dollar General store to vie for votes.
Starting Friday, Sept. 25., supporting school causes is as easy as taking a bite out of your favorite apple with “Buy an Apple, Help a Student,” a fundraising program featuring the U.S. apple industry and your favorite brands working together to provide financial support to student projects nationwide every time a person shares a photo of an apple or related product.
“We love the time-honored connection between apples and education and wanted to bring it to life with a fun program that lets people turn their daily apple into direct support for important classroom projects nationwide,” said Wendy Brannen, Director, Consumer Health and Public Relations, USApple. “With Buy an Apple, Help a Student, enjoying an apple or delicious pairing from our Apple Buddies can go a long way in supporting healthy bodies and minds.” Now through Nov. 15, visit Apples4Ed.com to read quick profiles of 11 student causes (full list also below)–classroom projects in need of funding that range from new school gardens and improved libraries to updated technology, revitalized playgrounds and enhanced resources for teacher. Supporting these causes takes four simple, delicious and healthy steps:
1. Snack: Grab an apple, apple juice, applesauce and/or delicious products made by program partners (or “Apple Buddies”) Marzetti, KIND Snacks, Roth Cheese, and Johnsonville Sausage.
2. Snap: Take a picture enjoying (selfies preferred, not required).
3. Tag: Find a school cause at Apples4Ed.com. Tag your photo with the project’s name and hashtag #Apples4Ed.
4. Share: Vote for your fave school cause by uploading your photo to Apples4Ed.com or sharing on Instagram.
For every vote, USApple – representing the U.S. apple industry – and program Apple Buddies will pledge financial contributions to nominated projects to help them reach their goals. Individuals can vote as often as they desire; each pic individuals upload enjoying apples and apple pairings using Apple Buddy products counts as a vote.
Through mid-November, as the program collects photos and tallies votes, USApple and program Apple Buddies will encourage participation with weekly drawings in which participants can win Apple® gift cards and have money donated directly to their selected project. In addition, individuals who visit www.Apples4Ed.com will find helpful facts about apples’ many health benefits, as well as a variety of original recipes created by Top Chef fan favorite Chef Dave Martin. The quick recipes pair apples with products and ingredients from Marzetti, KIND Snacks, Roth Cheese, and Johnsonville Sausage.
MEET THE CAUSES:
* Marie L. Greenwood Academy, Denver, CO: Growing Gardens
Living in a food desert, students at this low-income public school need greater access to fresh produce. Marie L. Greenwood Academy hopes to fulfill this need and improve nutrition with a network of 40 backyard and container gardens, each specializing in growing specific vegetables, which will be exchanged with other network families at a school Farmer’s Market.
* The Washington Apple Education Foundation, Wenatchee, WA: Providing Scholarships
To help students achieve their academic goals, WAEF offers scholarships to college students raised in families employed in the tree fruit industry. Thanks to the WAEF scholarship program, many of these students are the first in their families to attend college. Money will fund Apples4Ed scholarships in this program.
* Trinity Lutheran School, Conklin, MI: Rural Robotics
“Rural Robotics” is a new initiative designed to expand and enhance the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program at Trinity Lutheran School. This course will give students a hands-on approach to exploring robotics by providing the small, rural school with programmable robots as well as the tablets and software needed for their programming.
* Cabarrus School District, Concord, NC: Revitalizing Phys. Ed
To elevate the effectiveness of physical education classes, Cabarrus School District is in need of funding to support district-wide professional development and resources for teachers, along with new equipment sets and additional activity time such as recess and in-class/after-school activities.
* Charles E. Boger Elementary School, Kannapolis, NC: Promoting Active Lifestyles
To increase student’s knowledge and access to innovative PE experiences that can also be applied at home, Charles E. Boger Elementary is seeking funding to support professional development for teachers as well as new equipment to create a “FIT Lab” that engages students on a path to physical fitness.
* Winston-Salem/Forsyth Schools, Winston-Salem, NC: Increasing Physical Literacy
Funding will support training and professional development for teachers as well as new equipment designed to increase students’ physical literacy and improve their chances of being lifelong movers.
* Langston Chapel Elementary School, Statesboro, GA: Boosting Creativity with iPads
For small group instruction, the 5th grade reading class at Langston Chapel Elementary School is in need of a set of 18 mini iPads that will be used to pique student interest and boost creativity using applications, eBooks and other activities.
* Warrensburg Schools, Warrensburg, MO: Eating from the Garden
Now in its fifth year, Eating from the Garden, a course for elementary students, focuses on eating healthy, growing your own fruits and vegetables, and being a good steward of the land. Funding will be used to purchase gardening soil, fertilizers, tools, supplies, as well as fruits and vegetables for bi-monthly student tasting.
* Langston Chapel Elementary School, Statesboro, GA: Playground Makeover
The elementary school is in need of a playground makeover. Updating old equipment, adding new activities and providing students with a fun place to play is their number one priority.
* Sherwood Forest Elementary, Federal Way, WA: Daily Apple Snacks
Many students come to school each day without a healthy snack or lunch. Sherwood Forest Elementary would like to implement a program that provides access to healthy snacks for students and their families while giving them an opportunity to experience the unique taste of each apple variety.
* Schoharie School District, Schoharie, NY: Connecting Farm to School
The Farm to School Project strives to educate children as well as the community on food, agriculture and nutrition. Funding will support the school’s upcoming “Farm to School Day at the Farmers Market,” “Apple Crunch” Food Day aimed at educating the community, and classroom programs presenting apple’s benefits and school-wide taste testing of apple varieties.
In December, USApple and partners will announce the cause with the most votes, which will receive the highest donation. Every classroom featured on the site will, however, receive funds.
About USApple
U.S. Apple Association is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. More information on the organization is available at USApple.org.
About Marzetti Enjoy all this fall season has to offer with a slice of juicy apple dipped into our rich, thick caramel dip.
From Peanut Butter Caramel to Sweet & Salty Caramel— Marzetti® has five different varieties of dip to match whatever your palate desires. Plus, snack pack sizes offer the ultimate in individual convenience! Nothing says fall like Apple ‘n Marzetti Caramel Dip. Don’t forget to complement your fresh fall produce with Marzetti dressings, croutons and salad toppings, veggie dips, fruit dips and pie glazes. More information about the company is available on Marzetti's website.
About KIND Healthy Snacks More information about the company is available at www.kindsnacks.com.
About Roth Cheese/Emmi Roth USA, Inc.
Emmi Roth USA, a subsidiary of Switzerland based Emmi Group, is a leading provider of specialty cheeses. The expansive portfolio includes award-winning cheeses from the United States, Switzerland and Europe, each crafted with pride from the freshest local milk. Key cheese brands include Kaltbach™ Cave-aged, Roth® Grand Cru® and Buttermilk Blue®, Best of Class winner at the 2014 World Championship Cheese Contest. Tradition and innovation balance perfectly to deliver distinctive offerings of the highest quality to the retail and foodservice trades. More information about the company is available at www.rothcheese.com.
About Johnsonville Sausage, LLC
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the No. 1 national sausage brand featuring: brats, burgers, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links, breakfast sausage in fully cooked and fresh varieties, meatballs and summer sausage. Johnsonville employs approximately 1,400 members. Each member takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and “Big Flavor” of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by the late Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today. For additional Johnsonville company information, the latest recipes, contests and the Big Taste Grill tour schedule, visit www.johnsonville.com.
Source: USApple
