FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 5, 2007

Media Contacts

The Art Institute of Washington Ivonne L. Couret Director of Public Relations 703.247.6864 icouret@aii.edu

U.S. Apple Association info@usapple.org

Washington, DC — February is American Heart Month and The Art Institute of Washington is partnering with the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) to create new and exciting ways for consumers to add apples to their diets. Apples are high in antioxidants, which have been linked to better heart health. On February 20th, "Apple Day" will inspire culinary arts students to create original recipes using apples that demonstrate their knowledge of healthy cooking as part of their curriculum in the American Regional Cuisines class taught at the college. The 25 students competing will be judged on creativity, taste, presentation and nutritional value.

"It is always a great opportunity when our culinary students can create dishes that not only give educational value, but healthy eating value," Chef Paul Magnant, director of culinary arts program.

"This is an excellent partnership between the U.S. apple industry and The Art Institute of Washington," said USApple President and CEO Nancy Foster. "Apples offer great taste coupled with outstanding health benefits for the heart and the rest of the body. Using apples to showcase the culinary talents of the students will provide consumers with many wonderful new ways to add apples to their diets."

"Partnerships with industry associations, like the USApple, enable the college to build relationships for our students and faculty to provide educational development opportunities, professional networking, internships, and future job placements," said George Sebolt, president of The Art Institute of Washington.

It is no accident that apples were chosen as the spotlight product in The Art Institute of Washington celebration of American Heart Month. In addition to being a delicious and flexible ingredient, apples have also been linked to a reduced risk of heart damage in laboratory studies. Research from the University of California — Davis, suggests that unique mix of nutrients found in apples and apple products can actually help improve health, starting at the cellular level. Eating apples and apple products have been linked to providing protection from cellular damage that otherwise could have lead to an increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

One apple, or even more, just may keep the doctor away. Consider these apple nutrition facts, apples:

• Are a natural source of health-promoting phytonutrients, a plant-based antioxidants that promotes bone health;
• Contain natural fruit sugars, mostly in the form of fructose and because apples' high fiber content, the fruit's natural sugars are slowly released into the blood stream, helping maintain steady blood sugar levels.
• Are an "excellent" source of fiber.
• Are fat free, saturated fat free, sodium free and cholesterol free.

There are many other health benefits that scientists believe are linked to eating apples and apple products, from Alzheimer's disease to breast cancer and weight loss.

For more information on the healthy properties of apples and to view photos of apple recipes visit: www.USApple.org.

To learn more about the Culinary Arts program at The Art Institute of Washington and to view Chef Randy Johnston's original recipes for Apple Chutney, visit: www.aiw.aii.edu.

About The Art Institute of Washington
The Art Institute of Washington, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with 34 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

About The U.S. Apple Association
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.