"Foodservice sales are projected to increase by five percent in 2005, so it makes good business sense for the apple industry step-up its participation in this market," said Kay Rentzel, director of National Apple Month. "We can explore the potential of this market in terms of increasing apple and apple product sales."

The $3,000 grant will allow NAM to expand its relatively limited editorial exposure and work with national distributors and operators to develop new and creative menu applications that include more apples and apple products. Additionally, the program calls for extended work and education of foodservice operators and distributors on the benefits of apples in a daily diet.

"NAM's greatest area of focus is currently its retail program," noted Rentzel. "This grant will allow us to reach consumers in a way that we have been unable to in the past. Working with the foodservice industry gives us another chance to educate people about the great taste and important health benefits that come from eating apples. We hope that this will lead to increased apple consumption and a growth in overall apple sales."

The foodservice outreach program began in January and will run through December 2005. The initial focus of the program will be non-commercial food-service operations.

Note: The text of this release can be downloaded from the News Releases section of USApple's Media Web site, at http://www.usapple.org/media/newsreleases/index.cfm.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 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.