BC Tree Fruits Partners with Canadian Food Leaders to Celebrate Apple Month

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan. 29, 2014) - This February, the largest shipper of local apples in Canada, BC Tree Fruits is celebrating apple month. Some of Western Canada's top Chefs, Nutritionists, Authors, and food leaders have teamed up with the fruit cooperative to participate in Apple Month, and engage in the ultimate fruit battle.

The Great Apple Month Taste Off showcases nine apple inspired recipes from some of Western Canada's top food enthusiasts. The Taste Off panel is comprised of:

Vancouver: Jillian Harris and Chef Faizal Kassam of Cibo Trattoria

Calgary: Author and Blogger Julie Van Rosendaal and Chef and Illustrator Pierre Lamielle

Edmonton: Food Educator and Writer Valeria Lugonja and Writer/Author Jennifer Cockrall-King

Okanagan: Executive Chef Grant De Montreull - Bonfire Restaurant

Canadians are invited to visit applemonth.com starting February 1, 2014 to view the apple inspired recipes and vote for the one that they think best showcases the fruit and tops the taste buds! Online votes will determine which recipe wins while each voter is entered into a draw for the chance to win a luxury Okanagan getaway for 2 with a stay at Kelowna's premier destination The Cove Lakeside Resort. The author of the winning recipe will also win $1000 to a charity of their choosing.

"Apple Month is an initiative that dates back to the early 1960's as a way to celebrate and promote locally grown fruit," said Chris Pollock, Marketing Manager, BC Tree Fruits. "We are thrilled to engage such talented food leaders in the 2014 Apple Month campaign which will only strengthen our goals of educating consumers to buy local," Pollock adds.

As part of February's Apple Month consumers will notice additional displays of BC Tree Fruits apple varieties available at this time of year, including Ambrosia, Royal Gala, Spartan, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Fuji.

About BC Tree Fruits Industries Limited:

BC Tree Fruits Industries Limited is part of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative and is owned by over 500 local grower families. BC Tree Fruits Cooperative markets and distributes a variety of BC grown fruit including apples, pears, cherries, peaches, apricots, prune plums and blueberries. BC Tree Fruits' head office is based in Kelowna, B.C.

For more information: www.applemonth.com / www.bctree.com / www.twitter.com/bctreefruits / facebook.com/bctree