Celebrate Apple Month with Your Favorite BC Tree Fruit

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 1, 2012) - This February, the largest producer of local apples in Western Canada, BC Tree Fruits is inviting Canadians to celebrate apple month by loading up on local apple varieties. We might not always equate February with fruit season however BC Tree Fruits apples are available in multiple delicious varieties. Apple month encourages supporting local growers while adhering to Doctor's orders of an apple a day!

The 2012 Apple Month also marks a milestone for BC Tree Fruits as it is the Okanagan organizations 75^th anniversary. 75 years ago, in 1936, a group of dedicated farmers came together with a goal to provide the finest tree fruits worldwide. From that first planted seed grew a co-operative of over 700 producers that continues today.

To commemorate Apple Month this February, BC Tree Fruit is launching its first nation wide contest - The Artful Apple. Artful Apple asks fruit fans to decorate their favorite variety of BC Tree Fruit apples and upload the works of art to share. The public will vote for their favorite Artful Apple. The individual with the winning apple will be awarded an exclusive Okanagan vacation package for four. Full prizing and details at www.artfulapple.com.

"Apple Month is an initiative that dates back to 1960 as a way to celebrate and promote locally grown fruit," said Rick Austin, Director of Sales and Marketing for BC Tree Fruits. "Some consumers think the winter months leave no opportunity for fresh or quality fruit, however we are proud to have multiple apple varieties in the produce aisles and Apple Month aids in spreading this awareness," Austin adds.

During Apple Month, shoppers will notice additional displays of B.C. Tree Fruits apple varieties available at this time of year, including Royal Gala, Ambrosia, McIntosh, Spartan, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Fuji. Consumers will be able to sample apples in stores during the month.

About BC Tree Fruits:

BC Tree Fruits, one of the largest apples shippers in North America is part of the Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative, is owned by over 700 local grower families. The organization 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.