What Kind Of Apple Are You?

VIENNA, Va., Oct. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- If you were an apple, what type of apple would you be? As peak apple season arrives, the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) helps you get to the core of the matter with AppletizeMe, an online destination that matches your personality traits to your ideal apple variety.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131008/SF93876)

Are you a social butterfly? That makes you a Gala apple, the core of the in-crowd but always making everyone feel welcome and good inside.

How about an intellectual? Easy as Pi. You're a Ginger Gold.

Fitness fanatic? Then you're a Fuji, living proof that crunches are worth the effort.

The www.AppletizeMe.com website not only reveals your true apple with a special illustration, but also identifies perfect food pairings – such as caramel dips, cheddar cheese slices and walnut butter – to accompany your variety.

USApple developed AppletizeMe as a health and nutrition initiative to inspire consumers to learn more about apple varieties, apple pairings and apple's many health benefits in a fun, engaging and social environment. AppletizeMe partners are T. Marzetti Company, California Walnuts and California Milk Advisory Board.

"It often takes something lighthearted yet catchy to get us to try something new," says Wendy Brannen, Director of Consumer Health and Public Relations for USApple. "The fun of AppletizeMe is that it encourages us to walk outside of our typical apple-buying habits to check out different varieties and how we can eat them.  And, I love that, by combining apples with our AppletizeMe partners' products, we can also promote healthy new snack and meal solutions."   

The AppletizeMe website is packed with helpful product information and exciting new research about the health benefits of apples, as well as surprising details and simple preparation tips on select apple varieties. 

Individuals who share their apple personality on social media networks can enter for a chance to win special prizes. These include weekly drawings for iTunes gift cards throughout October, and drawings for two Apple iPads^® for individuals who enter through Nov. 21. See official rules.

About U.S. Apple Association
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. More information on the organization is available at www.usapple.org.

About Marzetti
The T. Marzetti Company, the specialty food subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corporation, markets a wide variety of foods for both the retail and foodservice markets. Brands include Marzetti®, New York Brand® and Sister Schubert's®. More information about the company is available at www.marzetti.com.

About California Walnuts and California Walnut Commission
The California walnut industry is made up of more than 4,000 growers and more than 90 handlers. The growers and handlers are represented by two entities, the California Walnut Board (CWB) and the California Walnut Commission (CWC).

The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers.  The Commission is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CWC is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities. Learn more at www.walnuts.org.

About California Milk Advisory Board: Real California Cheese
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's more than 1,500 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest commodity boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information about California dairy products, visit www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com.

SOURCE U.S. Apple Association