Consumer Education
Apples are the perfect fruit for Americans of all ages, as they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways - fresh, cooked, as sauce, juice, cider, dried chunks, and more! Not only do they taste great, but they also make it easier for us to meet our daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables.
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According to the latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines, we should be consuming 5 to 13 servings of fruits and veggies each day to stay healthy. Apples and apple juice are a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for our well-being. They are particularly useful for those who lead busy lives, and struggle to make time for meals, as they can be consumed anytime, anywhere.
From breakfast to lunch, dinner to snacks, there's never a wrong time to enjoy an apple. What's more, fast-food restaurants now offer fresh apple slices, apple sauce, and apple juice, making it easier than ever to make healthier choices on the go.
Processed apple products offer several shelf-stable options. Apple products made from 100% fresh apples are a fantastic alternative source of nutrients. They are free of harmful fats, cholesterol, and sodium, and can even be fortified with calcium to promote strong bones.
Overall, we believe that apple products are the perfect choice for health-conscious Americans who want to stay fit and feel great.
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Eating Apple Products is as Easy as 1,2,3...
1
Breakfast
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Apple sauce in oatmeal
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Apple butter on toast
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Apple turnover and coffee
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Apple Juice, yogurt smoothie
2
Lunch
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Apple Chips and a sandwich
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Applesauce and pumpkin soup
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Dried apples with granola
3
Dinner
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Apple chunks and a salad
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Baked apples with pork loin
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Don't forget the many apple dessert options in moderation!
Apple Facts and Figures
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October is National Apple Month! Its mission is to increase apple industry sales and to enhance consumer awareness and usage of apples and apple products. Its goal is to increase apple industry sales through a fall retail display contest, foodservice promotional contest, to recognize outstanding retailers for their apple merchandising, and to develop strong relations with retail, foodservice and apple industry members.
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Two pounds of apples make one 9-inch pie.
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7500 strains of apple varieties are grown throughout the world.
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100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States.
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Apples are grown commercially in 36 states.
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39% of apples are processed into apple products; 21% of this is for juice and cider.
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In 2008, the average U.S. consumer ate an estimated 33.3 pounds of processed apples.
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The top apple producing states are Washington, New York, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
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Apples are free of fat, sodium, and cholesterol.
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The science of apple growing is pomology.
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Apples are a member of the rose family.
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Americans eat 19.6 pounds or about 65 fresh apples a year.
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25% of an apple’s volume is air. That is why they float.
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One of George Washington’s hobbies was pruning his apple trees.
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Apples ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if refrigerated.
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A bushel of apples weighs about 42 pounds and will yield 20-24 quarts of applesauce.
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Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C.
Apple Processors
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Many companies provide healthy processed apple products. Visit these websites for information, recipe ideas, and more. Sample Applesauce Nutrition Labels. Check each company for details and product lines. However, always choose 100% juice or sauce.