Take the crunch challenge and support NYS agriculture

Posted: Thursday, October 13, 2016 9:00 am
By Tessa Edick
For Columbia-Greene Media

Its CRRRRRRUNCH time! The apple harvest is underway statewide. Look for New York state apples at a farm, market or food store near you and take the crunch challenge for the “Big Apple Crunch” 2 p.m. Oct. 20 for a crunch heard ‘round the world!

How big is your bite? That is the question when your just picked locally grown New York state apple begs you to #BiteMe this month in a movement that matters and your pledge to Eat Local NY! And, you can enter to win a $1,000 grant for your school of choice for a FarmOn! Victory Garden when you register for the FarmOn! Big Apple Crunch online prior to the crunch date at farmonfoundation.org.

Save the date! Oct. 20, crunch into a New York state apple with a unified call to action to lift up local agriculture asking you to make a difference, like the ice bucket challenge but with a local apple bite.

Take the crunch challenge with a pledge to eat local and FarmOn! It’s the fourth annual Big Apple Crunch Challenge! With one bite this fall you support state apple growers with economic development at family farms in our beloved apple belt region and it is so much fun too. Win! Win! Win! That school garden you have dreamed of is calling. Just from an apple crunch you can bring one to your local school.

“New York is the top apple-growing state east of the Mississippi. You don’t need to go far to find great tasting apples that get to you faster and fresher. Buy local and support your area farms and enjoy a crisper, tastier, more delicious and nutritious taste of New York.” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association.

Find an apple orchard near you in the handy locator to buy apples at www.nyapplecountry.com and host a crunch challenge.

This statewide coordinated crunch challenge inspires us to eat with a purpose and pledge to Eat Local NY all year long. This keeps farmers farming and youth inspired by agriculture.

The Big Apple Crunch originated in New York City in 2012 with GrowNYC, in partnership with the New York City Office of Food Policy, as New York City’s way of celebrating Food Day. In its first year, approximately 400,000 New Yorkers bit into a locally grown New York state apple at the same time on Food Day, Oct. 24. In 2015, the Big Apple Crunch in New York City set a world record with 1 million people participating. Since then, the activity has spread across the country and thousands of locations have participated in apple crunches every October in celebration of National Food Day.

This year, FarmOn! Foundation is breaking that 1 million crunch record asking New Yorkers all across the state to take a bite out of a New York state apple in a unifying action to raise awareness about the importance of supporting our local farmers and creating better access to fresh fruits and vegetables in our schools. Together we make it more affordable to eat fresh, local food for our health and the environment.

Join the healthy fun together in New York state and register online at bigapplecrunch.com to host a crunch and to participate. Buy, bite and share in the partnership with the New York Apple Association and FarmOn! Foundation presenting the Big Apple Crunch Challenge.

Join us with GrowNYC, Union Square Greenmarket NYC, State University of New York, New York State Department of Ag & Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension, local farmers, orchards, public and private schools, consumers, chefs, farm markets, hospitals, community organizations, businesses and elected officials. We come together dedicated to providing children fresh and local food and celebrate the farm!

Take the pledge online and register for the crunch challenge today or join scheduled events too.

Take the #BIGAPPLECRUNCH CHALLENGE in 2016 and make a difference with one bite. Buy local and encourage friends and family to get your FarmOn! too. Tell your video story on Instagram/Twitter @FarmOnFarmOn with #BigAppleCrunch.

Apple facts

It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.
Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since 6500 BC.
A peck of apples weighs 10 1/2 pounds.
Apples ripen or soften 10 times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.
A medium-sized apple has about 80 calories.
Apples are an excellent source of fiber; one medium apple contains 5 grams of fiber, including the soluble fiber pectin.
It takes about 36 apples to create 1 gallon of apple cider.
Twenty five percent of an apple’s volume is air, that’s why they float.
Most apples are still picked by hand. If you ate today, thank a Farmer!

Take the crunch challenge

Pledge to crunch! Win a school garden; register at FarmOnFoundation.org.
Buy a New York state apple from any farm, market, school or Union Square Greenmarket 8-11 a.m. Oct. 19 in preparation for the crunch challenge.
Bite and FarmOn! on Oct. 20 and remember to document and spread the word on social media.
Create an Instagram video story and post on Snapchat, Twitter or Facebook.

October 13, 2016