Apr 6, 2017

Envy Apples win ‘Apple Madness’ tournament

The Envy apple took the top spot in the U.S. Apple Association’s (USApple) “Apple Madness” bracket tournament, a five-week, five-round online competition spotlighting 32 apple varieties and fresh health facts.

Throughout March, which is National Nutrition Month, Apple Madness earned more than 31,000 consumer votes, a 20 percent increase from last year’s inaugural tournament.

The tournament tipped off in February at www.usapple.org/applemadness with a prediction period encouraging individuals to fill out their Apple Madness bracket for a chance to win the grand prize: a three-month supply of apples. The person whose bracket most closely matched the final outcomes of each matchup was declared the winner.

Then, in March, within weekly rounds such as the “Vitamin C-16” and “Fiber Four,” the social media-driven initiative profiled and encouraged consumer votes for veteran varieties (like “Ball Control” Braeburn), popular favorites (“Post Up” Pink Lady), and up-and-comers (“Slam Dunking” SweeTango).

Along the way, USApple shared apple facts, recipe ideas and health research data with millions of consumers on social media. Last week’s “National Chomp-ionship” round pitted “Hoops” Honeycrisp against “Energizer” Envy.

Throughout the tournament, voters entered to win apple-related prizes from members including Borton Fruit, Chelan Fresh, Domex Superfresh Growers, Michigan Apple Committee, New York Apple Association, New York Apple Sales, Oppy, Rainier Fruit Company, Red Jacket Orchards, Ridgetop Orchards, Riveridge Produce Marketing, Sage Fruit Company and Washington Apple Commission.