May 12, 2016
Program encourages fall apple consumption

This fall, expect another season of Instagram feeds filled with thousands of apple-eating snapshots: U.S. Apple Association (USApple) will once again hold its Apples for Education: Buy an Apple, Help a Student social-media fueled classroom fundraising campaign. Nominations are now open at Apples4Ed.com for school projects to be profiled.

According to a news release, in 2015, its inaugural year, Apples for Education featured 20,000 photo uploads of fans snacking on apples and partner products as they voted for 12 nominated school causes such as playground makeovers, classroom robotics programs and school gardens.

The campaign – held during peak apple harvest season – rallied communities, school districts, classrooms, teachers, parents and kids in large cities and small towns nationwide to grab apples and post snacking pics on Instagram. Each time people uploaded a photo, USApple and supporting brands pledged funds to the causes, with more than $21,000 donated by campaign’s end.

“We envisioned Apples for Education as a multi-year cause campaign supporting schools in need and highlighting apples’ indelible connection with education,” said Wendy Brannen, Director, Consumer Health and Public Relations, USApple. “Last year’s results were more than 10 times our first year’s goals. It was a no brainer to bring it back since everyone enjoyed the campaign and it accomplished our goal of getting school-aged kids and their parents to increase apple consumption and awareness.”

Brannen said she and members of USApple’s Education Committee, which approved the program’s second year, are excited to see what types of classroom causes are nominated for the 2016 campaign and moved quickly to get the nomination form up online so schools can go ahead and enter before the summer.

Through Sept. 9, educators, parents and others associated with K12 schools are encouraged to visit here to enter and share an important student cause in their community in need of financial support. USApple will then select finalists that will be eligible for funds this fall.

Apples4Ed’s 2016 voting period, when people nationwide can submit photos snacking on apples and supporting partner products, begins Oct. 1 and will continue through Nov. 12.




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