August 2002

Dear Apple Lover:

We have all heard the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but what would happen if you really did eat an apple a day, every day?

Recent health research suggests apples and apple products may help protect against heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and prostate, colon, liver, and lung cancer. Apples and processed apple foods are recommended as an important part of a well-balanced diet because they are packed with fiber and antioxidants, yet don’t have any fat, cholesterol, or sodium.

This harvest season will bring consumers a variety of great-tasting, versatile, and, of course, healthful, new-crop apples. As consumers bite into the varieties of apples available across the country, they just may be thinking about following the old saying and eating an apple a day.

Consider this letter and the enclosed apple fact sheets your “Monday Morning Meeting” to help you answer consumers’ apple questions and plan your apple harvest stories (and other apple stories throughout the year). Enclosed you will find apple insights and information that take you through each day of the week, giving you and your audiences reasons to enjoy eating an apple a day, every day.

• Tuesday Afternoon Workout – Want to get fit? Try these all-purpose tips for getting and staying in good shape.
• Wednesday Night Grocery Trip – When food shopping this week, be sure to pick up apples, apple juice, and applesauce, among the good-for-you foods recommended by the Food Guide Pyramid.
• Thursday Morning Health Check – Research suggests apples and processed apple foods contain nutrients that provide a whole-body range of health benefits. What else do you need to convince you to eat an apple a day?
• Friday Night Dinner Party – Having friends over for a night of ethnic food – with apples center of the plate – can be a fun and healthful experience.
• Saturday Brunch – Sautéed apples. Apple-style omelets. Apple raisin French toast. Check out these scrumptious apple recipes to satisfy your family’s cravings healthfully.
• Sunday Fresh Start – Begin the new week with a new attitude … and suggestions on how to enjoy an apple a day, every day, in the week ahead.

We also have provided a resource guide that outlines all the materials we have available at the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) to help you with your upcoming apple stories. If you would like additional information or have any questions, please contact me at (800) 781-4443 or Sun Dee Mills at (816) 512-2326. We also encourage you to visit our Web site at www.usapple.org, now undergoing an exciting redesign just in time for harvest season. A downloadable version of this kit is available on the Web site, in the newsroom section.

Sincerely,

Julia Stewart Daly
Vice President of Public Relations, U.S. Apple Association