Vienna, VA - U. S. Apple Association's (USApple) National Apple Month (NAM) program today announced the winners of the fall 2005 National Apple Month retail and military display contests, bringing the apple industry's fall generic apple promotion to a close.

"NAM celebrated the start of its second century of promotion and continues to deliver a promotional marketing event that kick-starts the domestic apple industry's marketing season," said NAM Director Kay Swartz Rentzel. "T. Marzetti's® products and the National Peanut Board returned as promotion partners, and the use of their products provided for increased sales for everyone during the promotional period."

Vying for the four top prizes in the display contest were retailers and military commissaries from across the country and around the world. From September through November, entrants built displays in their stores that prompted consumers to buy more apples, apple products, Marzetti's products, peanuts and peanut products. These displays helped boost sales and increase bottom-line profits.

The displays treated consumers to healthy, nutritious U.S. apples, processed apple products, and tie-in products, during the launch of the industry's 2005 marketing season.

Contest entries were judged for the best health-oriented display, and then categorized based on store size. The 2005 title of "Best Health Oriented Display and Merchandiser," was bestowed upon HyVee, Marshalltown, Iowa. The entry coordinator was John Sherman, a previous winner in the National Apple Month display contest. Their theme was "Three Apples a Day, the Healthy Way," and featured a display with 18 different varieties of fresh apples, 50 cases of processed apple products, more than 30 cases of Marzetti's caramel apple dips and crisp, and over 75 pounds of peanuts and peanut products.

Apples were the featured throughout the produce department, along with banners carrying key messages such as"3-A-Day the Healthy Way" and "Meet Your Antioxidant Super Hero." Additionally, customers were treated to several in-store samplings of T. Marzetti's Caramel Apple Dip and U.S. apples. During the promotional period, HyVee provided pamphlets that addressed the importance of antioxidants and the role apples play in the process.

In addition to providing consumers with a valid nutritional message, this HyVee store experienced sales lifts of 10 percent in apple sales, more than 5 percent in Marzetti's apple dip sales, 3 percent in Marzetti's apple crisp sales, 6 percent in peanut, peanut butter, and peanut product sales. It truly was a successful promotional event for the store and their suppliers.

Other first-place winners in the 2005 NAM retail display contest are:

• Stores with 9 or Fewer Registers: Giant Food Mart, Cuba, NY -Entry Coordinator, Chris Berardi;
• Stores with 10 or More Registers: Cub Foods, Arden Hills, MN - Entry Coordinator, Frank Herndon; and
• Military Commissaries: Ft. Gordon, Fort Gordon, GA - Entry Coordinator, Ramon Lopez.

First-place winners were awarded $1,000 for the store's creative efforts.

Entries were evaluated on the volume and variety of fresh apples displayed, the volume and variety of processed apple products and grocery tie-in products displayed, the use and volume of Marzetti's dips and crisp, the use and volume of peanuts and peanut products, display creativity and cross merchandising with other store departments.

Contest Continues to Deliver Results

"Year after year, the National Apple Month contest is successful on all fronts - everyone wins with National Apple Month," said Rentzel. "Apple marketers use the promotion to kick off the harvest season and boost early-season shipments. Retailers use it to increase consumer sales and awareness, yield additional profits for the produce department and creatively merchandise throughout the store. Our other team members - Marzetti's and the National Peanut Board proved to be excellent partners, by providing additional opportunities for promoting and merchandising apples and apple products with their products."

The merchandising promotion continues to attract first-time participants. This year 11 first-time participants placed in the NAM Display Contest.

"Once again, the fall display and merchandising contest shows why NAM is a terrific tool for launching fall apple sales in a big way, both by increasing shelf space and varieties used in displays," said Fred Hess sales manager for Hess Brothers, Leola, Pa., and chairman of the NAM Committee.

Repeat winner, Chris Berardi, entry coordinator at the Cuba Giant store in Cuba, NY, featured 43 different varieties of apples, accounting for more than 365 cases of apples being sold in the 24,000 square foot store. Additionally, the store sold more than 377 cases of apple products, 50 cases of Marzetti's product, more than 200 pounds of peanuts and peanut butter sales that increased overall sales of the featured products by more than 32 percent over the previous year's sales. Berardi credits his local, regional and national suppliers with assisting in making "Giant's Apple Orchard" a phenomenal success. The store focused on young children and stressed the importance of eating healthy and understanding the reason for doing the same. Children were encouraged to "replace the candy bar or chip snack with an apple." Additionally, Dr. Apple sent invitations to community educators of pre-school, head start and elementary grades K-3 to visit him personally a the store. Approximately 375 children visited with Dr. Apple in the store and received the apple of their choice.

At Cub Foods in Arden Hills, MN, Frank Herndon found success in "Cub Apple Fest - Come Pick Your Own@!" This twelve-register store, the display featured 14 varieties of apples and apple products in their apple orchard, more than 135 cases of Marzetti's products, 2,500 pounds of peanuts and peanut products, an apple tree and a huge caterpillar to attract consumers to the display and buy the featured items.

Military Commissaries and Patrons Win Big

Military Commissaries around the world also participated in the NAM display contest that yielded "bushels" of success for their patrons. During the height of the apple promotion, commissary patrons enjoyed top quality apples, apple products, Marzetti's products and peanut products in creative retail displays.

Fort Gordon Commissary, Entry Coordinator Ramon Lopez reported a sales increase of 51 percent, while selling over 720 cases of apples, apple products, Marzetti's products, and more than 2,000 pounds of peanuts and peanut products in the store.

For the sixth year, military commissaries competed among their peers rather than against retail supermarkets. Earning top honors were the following.

1. Ft. Gordon Commissary, Ft. Gordon, GA; Entry Coordinator, Ramon Lopez
2. Ft. Riley Commissary, Ft. Riley, KS; Entry Coordinator, Robin Vincent
3. Malmstrom Commissary, Great Falls, MT; Entry Coordinator, John Nelson
4. NWS Commissary, Goose Creek, SC; Entry Coordinator, Shelia Simmons
5. Smokey Point Commissary, Marysville, WA; Entry Coordinator, Raymond Russell

As always, the true winners of the military display contest are patrons of the commissaries. According to military commissary officials, the winners' prizes will be used for patron "shopping sprees" in the winning commissaries.

2005 Panel of Contest Judges

The 2005 NAM display contest entries were judged by an independent panel of produce and retail experts including: Amy Philpott, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association Vice President of Marketing & Industry Relations and Gordon Hochberg, The Produce News, Vice President, Publisher.

2005
NATIONAL APPLE MONTH
DISPLAY CONTEST WINNERS

STORES WITH NINE OR FEWER REGISTERS
1. Giant Food Mart, Cuba, NY; Entry Coordinator, Chris Berardi
2. Eddie's Big M, Mexico, NY; Entry Coordinator, Beth Snider
3. Glens #1518, Clare, MI; Entry Coordinator, Joseph Freist
4. Canisteo Big M, Canisteo, NY; Entry Coordinator, Sabrina McMindes
5. Pittmans Supermarket, Hancock, MD; Entry Coordinator, Kevin Souders
6. Chipps & Nichols, Prescott, MI; Entry Coordinator, Crystal Johnson
7. Ferguson & Hassler Inc., Quarryville, PA; Entry Coordinator, Robert McMullen
8. Clayton Big M, Clayton, NY; Entry Coordinator, Anthony Gushlow
9. Market Place #1, Jackson, TN; Entry Coordinator, Brian Canada
10. Paul's Big M, Oswego, NY; Entry Coordinator, Lori Casler
11. Gary's Food Town, Laurel, NE; Entry Coordinator, Charlotte Anderson
12. Kroger #582, Clarksville, TN; Entry Coordinator, Gary Herndon
13. Elbridge Big M, Elbridge, NY; Entry Coordinator, Steve Eastman
14. VG's #144, Howell, MI; Entry Coordinator, Dan Marshall
15. Rod's Big M, Adams, NY; Entry Coordinator, Suzanne Murray
16. Borchardt Brothers Market, Blissfield, MI; Entry Coordinator, Becky Marine
17. Sandy Creek Big M, Sandy Creek, NY; Entry Coordinator, Michele Eastman
18. Publix, Clearwater, FL; Entry Coordinator, Steve Wojchowski
19. P & C Super Market, Waterloo, NY; Entry Coordinator, Bob Slater
20. Berkotts Super Foods, Watseka, IL; Entry Coordinator, Bill Casino
21. Fort Plain Big M, Fort Plain, NY; Entry Coordinator, Zachary Buley
22. Farmer Jack #640, Northville, MI; Entry Coordinator, James Kesteloot
23. L & L Food Centers, Wilkemos, MI; Entry Coordinator, Kathleen Biggers
24. Village Market, St. Clair Shore, MI; Entry Coordinator, Ferdinand Bezati
25. Charly John's Big M, Speculator, NY; Entry Coordinator, Aaron Weaver

MILITARY WINNERS
1. Ft. Gordon Commissary, Ft. Gordon, GA; Entry Coordinator, Ramon Lopez
2. Ft. Riley Commissary, Ft. Riley, KS; Entry Coordinator, Robin Vincent
3. Malmstrom Commissary, Great Falls, MT; Entry Coordinator, John Nelson
4. NWS Commissary, Goose Creek, SC; Entry Coordinator, Shelia Simmons
5. Smokey Point Commissary, Marysville, WA; Entry Coordinator, Raymond Russell

STORES WITH TEN OR MORE REGISTERSSTORES WITH TEN OR MORE REGISTERS
1. Cub Foods, Arden Hills, MN; Entry Coordinator, Frank Herndon
2. Publix #820, Cooper City, FL; Entry Coordinator, Peblo Garces
3. Giant Eagle #72, Pittsburgh, PA; Entry Coordinator, Rege Walney
4. Piggly Wiggly, Menasha, WI; Entry Coordinator, Jeremy Mentzel
5. Shop N Save, Canonsburg, PA; Entry Coordinator, Barb Czeczely
6. HyVee Food Store, Marshalltown, IA; Entry Coordinator, John Sherman
7. Schmitz's Economart, Spooner, WI; Entry Coordinator, Ken Marske
8. Redner's Warehouse Markets, Schuylkill Haven, PA; Entry Coordinator,
Larissa Boyer
9. Publix #119, Hendersonville, TN; Entry Coordinator, Dustin Myers
10. Schnuck's #773, Germantown, TN; Entry Coordinator, Charles Chapman
11. Kroger #720, Howell, MI; Entry Coordinator, Mike Weiss
12. Cub Foods, Savage, MN; Entry Coordinator, Jesse Himango
13. VG's #512, Waterford, MI; Entry Coordinator, Ken Miller
14. HyVee, Sioux Falls, SD; Entry Coordinator, Greg Gerdes
15. Capotos Fresh Markets, Hanover Park, IL; Entry Coordinator, Dale Ohman
16. Genuardi's, Marlton, NJ; Entry Coordinator, Produce Manager
17. HyVee, Rochester, MN; Entry Coordinator, Produce Manager
18. Cub Foods, Forest lake, MN; Entry Coordinator, Produce Manager
19. HyVee #1018, Ames, IA; Entry Coordinator, Kelly Glass
20. United Supermarkets, Lubbock, TX; Entry Coordinator, Sid Spicer
21. Acme #7794, Exton, PA; Entry Coordinator, Produce Manager
22. HyVee, Rochester, MN; Entry Coordinator, Produce Manager
23. HyVee #1022, Ankeny, IA; Entry Coordinator, Tim Stubbs
24. Giant #309, Broomall, PA; Entry Coordinator, Produce Manager
25. Meijer, Oregon, OH; Entry Coordinator, Liz Cuaro

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..