U.S. Apple Kicks Off Apple Madness Tournament

To celebrate National Nutrition Month, the U.S. Apple Association is encouraging apple lovers to join the “Apple Madness” basketball bracket tournament—a five-week, five-round online competition spotlighting 32 apple varieties and essential health facts.

Now through March 31, apple fans can visit the official 2017 Apple Madness bracket at USApple.org/AppleMadness to vote for their favorite varieties including: tried-and-true veterans such as McIntosh, Granny Smith and Fuji; popular favorites Honeycrisp and Pink Lady; or rookies like SweeTango, SnapDragon and Jazz. The varieties with the most votes advance weekly.

To take part, individuals can lock in their Apple Madness prediction bracket between February 22 and 28 for a chance to win a grand prize of an entire three-month supply of apples, a new addition the campaign this year. Then throughout March, individuals can vote daily to help their favorite apples advance through each round:

Voters will have the chance to win plenty of apple-related prizes including gift baskets, cookbooks, gift cards and more from U.S. Apple members all month long, and the grand prize will be awarded to the prediction bracket that most closely matches the actual outcome. Members donating prizes include Borton Fruit, Chelan Fresh, Domex Superfresh Growers, JAZZ Apple, Michigan Apple Committee, New York Apple Association, New York Apple Sales, Rainier Fruit Company, Red Jacket Orchards, Ridgetop Orchards, Riveridge Produce Marketing, Sage Fruit Company and Washington Apple Commission.

“Apple Madness provides a unique opportunity to educate customers on the flavor profiles and benefits of the many different apple varieties during basketball season when everyone has tournament bracket fever,” says Korenna Wilson, director of consumer health, U.S. Apple. “As the competition heats up, we share apple facts, important health research and award fun apple-themed giveaways. Last year, we received more than 25,600 votes in our inaugural competition. We look forward to seeing which variety comes out on top this year.