October is National Apple Month!

Media Contact:
Teri Hurst, 717-232-1898 or
paapplespr@pennsylvaniaapples.org

(Harrisburg, PA October 6, 2011) – Did you know that there are over 10,000 known apple varieties throughout the world and that hundreds of them are grown in Pennsylvania? In fact, one farm market could carry over 40 different varieties during a given season!

Each year, Pennsylvania apple growers produce approximately 440 million pounds of apples, making the state the fourth largest apple producer in the country. About 35 percent of the apples grown are produced for fresh market, while 65 percent are used for processed products, including canned, juice and cider.

“Apples have numerous health benefits and there is research that shows that by eating apples you can reduce the risk of heart disease, Type II Diabetes and some cancers,” said Karin Rodriguez, executive director of the Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Program.

Pennsylvania apples are full of antioxidants and to keep the apple’s antioxidants active, they should be stored at a temperature of 34°F. “By simply putting apples in a refrigerator’s crisper drawer you could also extend their shelf life up to ten times longer than those left at room temperature,” said Rodriguez. For those who like to buy in bulk, just store apples in the refrigerator in a plastic bag and mist them periodically so that they stay fresh and juicy.

The Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Program suggests eating one large apple to meet two of the five recommended daily fruit and vegetable servings. One apple serving also includes 1/2 cup chopped, cooked or canned apple; 6 ounces of apple cider or 100% apple juice; and 1/2 cup of applesauce.

To find apple recipes, health information or a local farm market, visit www.pennsylvaniaapples.org. For consumers with smart phones, the mobile version of the site allows visitors to search for farm markets by zip code, county, city and even apple variety while they are “on the road.”

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The Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Program is a commodity marketing program established by the Commodity Marketing Act of 1968. The program is funded by apple growers and governed by a Board of Directors. The Board is composed of growers from various regions of the state and a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Their website is www.pennsylvaniaapples.org.

The farm markets listed on the website represent apple producers who are members of the Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Program. For additional farm market locations in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Market Search.