Buy local apples, support pediatric cancer research: New York state growers, retailers team up with Boeheim Foundation to fund research

Fishers, N.Y. – Grocery displays of New York state apples will be decorated with pink ribbons beginning this month, inviting apple fans in the state to enjoy local fruit and support local pediatric cancer research.

The two-month-long fundraiser is sponsored by New York Apple Association on behalf of the state’s apple growers. To support pediatric cancer research at Upstate Cancer Center, NYAA has agreed to donate $25,000 to the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation.

To remind consumers to buy local apples to fight local pediatric cancer, participating area retailers are displaying pink ribbon-bedecked signs on apple displays of the state’s top varieties. They are also advertising the promotion with pink ribboned apples in their sale circulars.

Participating retailers include (in alphabetical order): C&S Wholesale, Fairway Foods, Gristedes, Key Food, Kings, Krasdale, Market Basket, Mars, Nice & Easy, Olean Wholesale, Price Chopper, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Tops, Wegmans, Western Beef and Whole Foods.

“We’re so grateful to the New York apple industry for its continued support of the Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation and the fight against cancer!” said Juli Boeheim.

“Apples are the original health food, and we would all love to help beat pediatric cancer in our state,” said NYAA President Jim Allen. “We are honored to support this worthy cause, and we thank the community-minded retailers who are making this fundraiser possible.”

This is the 12th year NYAA has conducted this retail promotion to highlight apples’ healthy profile and cancer-fighting potential. Since 2000 NYAA has donated in excess of $358,000 to local cancer charities, including the Boeheim Foundation, local American Cancer Society efforts and the ACS Coaches vs. Cancer Program.

For more information, contact:

Jim Allen, NYAA, jimallen@nyapplecountry.com
Julia Stewart, NYAA, julia@nyapplecountry.com
Kelly Taylor, Boeheim Foundation, ktaylor@jimboeheim.com

Note to editors:
• To download high-resolution artwork of the pink-ribbon point of sale sign or other supporting photos, visit NYAA’s Flickr site.
• To request a photo of Jim and Juli Boeheim, contact the Boeheim Foundation’s Kelly Taylor.

About the Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation
The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation strives to enrich the lives of kids in need within our Central New York community, as well, as, provide support for eliminating cancer through research and advocacy. For more information, visit www.boeheimfoundation.org.