McLean, Va. – The first-ever humanitarian aid distribution of fresh apples from the United States began today at the Regional Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Vladivostok, Russia, providing Russian orphans and other needy children a healthy and nutritious treat.

In a pioneering project made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “Food for Progress” food aid program, the Global Jewish Assistance and Relief Network (GJARN) in partnership with U.S. apple growers plans to distribute a total of 110,000 boxes of fresh apples from Virginia and Washington states to needy Russians over the next three months.

“America’s apple growers are proud to take part in this historic project to provide wholesome, nutritious and flavorful fresh fruit to orphans and other underprivileged Russians,” said U.S. Apple Association (USApple) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz. “Our industry is particularly pleased to partner with GJARN, USDA and the Russian Federation to bring this first-ever Food for Progress fresh apple aid program to fruition.”

Approximately 200,000 needy children living in remote regions throughout the Russian Far East and North, will benefit from the nutritional boost sure to be provided from consuming 2,000 metric tons of fresh apples. GJARN, a private voluntary organization based in New York, was awarded the USDA Food for Progress contract to distribute the apples in Russia.

The Food for Progress program has traditionally included non-perishable food staples such as grains and dried milk products. Driven by efforts to aid more transitional economies, USDA this past year expanded the program to include higher-value commodities, such as fresh apples.

“This is a great opportunity for U.S. apple growers to provide nutritious apples to these children, while enhancing the integral role of U.S. apples in the Russian marketplace,” said International Marketing Director Ed Brooks of the Washington Apple Commission, one of the key industry organizations involved in this project.

Today’s distribution of fresh apples to Russian orphans marks the first time that fresh fruit is included in a U.S. government food aid program.

“As an apple grower who has witnessed first hand the conditions of underprivileged children in Russia, I’m extremely pleased to know that some of my family’s apples are bringing smiles to their faces and filling their stomachs,” said Paul Thomas of Oneonta Trading Corporation, Wenatchee, Wash.

The U.S. apple industry first requested the inclusion of apples in the Food for Progress program for Russia in November 1998. Following requests for donations of fresh fruit by regional governments and humanitarian aid organizations in the Russian Far East in 1999, USDA announced in June 2001 its plans to include fresh apples in food assistance shipments bound for Russia.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state apple associations representing 9,000 apple growers throughout the country, as well as nearly 500 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.