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News RoomNews ReleaseApril 12, 2002 CONTACT: Diane Baedeker Petit, 617-626-1752, cell: 508-965-8417, Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us New State Ag Commissioner to Hand Out Local Apples to Marathon Runners at Finish LineMassachusetts' new Commissioner of Food and Agriculture Douglas P. Gillespie will hand out fresh locally-grown McIntosh apples to runners crossing the finish line at Monday's Boston Marathon from 2:15 pm to 4:00 pm. The apples are being provided by the New England McIntosh Growers Association (NEMGA), an official sponsor of this year's race. Every runner, volunteer and official will receive a crisp McIntosh in their race-day packets, a reminder that New England's most famous apple can be enjoyed year-round. NEMGA's Executive Director Russell Powell will run in this year's marathon. "The date of the marathon, mid-April, is ideal for reminding consumers that quality McIntosh and other New England apples are available well past their traditional growing season," says Powell. "Apples are a great source of energy for marathoners or anyone working to get or stay in shape. Our sponsorship of the marathon reflects our strong belief in the virtues of regular exercise, a healthy diet, and being outdoors." NEMGA will distribute more than 30,000 apples in all to the marathon and several race-week events, including Sunday's Freedom Run and the pre-race dinner for competitors. NEMGA's sponsorship of the 2002 Boston Marathon is made possible with the help of funding from the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. "I'm pleased that our Department has been able to assist with this exciting project. Apples are as much a part of Bay State tradition as the Boston Marathon," says Commissioner Gillespie. "I'm sure a nice crisp McIntosh apple will be welcome refreshment at the end of the road for this year's runners." The New England apple industry in general and Massachusetts growers in particular have been under considerable stress during the past decade, the result of a rapidly changing marketplace and unfavorable climate conditions. By becoming a sponsor of the Boston Marathon, says Powell, the region's apple growers hope to link two great New England traditions. "Our orchards represent so many of the qualities New Englanders value--beauty, nature, open space-in addition to their tremendous food value," says Powell. Massachusetts produced some 50 million pounds of apples in 2000 at a farmgate value of almost $14 million. About two-thirds of the New England crop is the classic McIntosh variety, prized for its tart-sweet flavor. Other leading varieties grown in New England are the Macoun, Cortland, Empire, Rome, Honeycrisp and Eastern Red Delicious, plus heirloom varieties such as Baldwin and Northern Spy. NEMGA is a non-profit trade association representing New England's apple growers.
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ResourcesApple statistics (New England Ag Statistics Service)  |
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