“Education starts in the lunchroom.” That’s one of the mantras of the FarmOn! Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on teaching students about the connection between making healthy food choices and academic success. FarmOn! also focuses on the importance of local agriculture and how it impacts not only healthy diets but the health of New York state’s economy as well. On Thursday, October 25, the New York Apple Association (NYAA) will support the FarmOn! Foundation by partnering with the organization on its annual “Big Apple Crunch” event. At precisely 2 p.m., students and New Yorkers across the state will crunch into a New York grown apple. Last year, more than 2.3 million people participated in the event which is also supported by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Participating schools will be taking video and photos of students biting into and enjoying a New York grown apple. The images and videos will be shared online as part of a social media contest to win a Victory Garden. Anyone can participate in the Big Apple Crunch and share photos and videos of themselves and others biting into a New York apple. Share on social media using the hashtags #HowBigIsYourBite, #BigAppleCrunch and #FarmOnBite.
“New York state is the second leading producer of apples in the nation,” said NYAA President Cynthia Haskins. “It is important for students to know that a significant industry is right in their own backyard and that New York has a reputation for producing some of the most flavorful apples in the world, thanks to our ideal geography, climate and soils and the 600 apple growers in the state who have a wealth of multigenerational knowledge and experience.”
