YAKIMA, Wash. – FirstFruits Marketing, growers of the widely acclaimed Opal® apple, is seeking applications from nonprofit organizations to benefit from Opal sales as part of the Youth Make a Difference initiative, a campaign designed to provide financial support to causes led by youth ages 6 to 25.
For the fourth consecutive year, the incredible demand for Opal apples has allowed FirstFruits Marketing to allocate funds for youth-led initiatives that address issues in food security, nutrition, agriculture, food politics or food education. Non-profit organizations and school-based entities can apply for funding, totaling approximately $75,000, at www.opalapples.com now until February 27, 2016. The program has granted more than $200,000 since its inception.
"The Youth Make a Difference campaign aims to inspire the next generation to make a real difference in their communities on issues such as hunger and healthy eating, the politics of food distribution, and the importance of community service,” said Suzanne Broetje, executive director, Vista Hermosa Foundation, Broetje Orchards. “It’s important for us to support organizations that are making a difference, as this brings us one step closer to addressing the most important issues of our time.”
FirstFruits will evaluate all 2016 Youth Make a Difference applicants against a set of criteria before posting finalists at opalapples.com. Beginning April 13, 2016, consumers are invited to visit the website and vote for their favorite initiatives. In July, FirstFruits plans to award funding to multiple youth-led charities based on consumer votes and consistency with criteria. The criteria, nomination guidelines, and funding details can be found online.
About FirstFruits Marketing of Washington
FirstFruits Marketing is a collaborative apple marketing company owned by growers. These growers share a commitment to producing high quality fruit while balancing the demands of purpose, people, planet and profit so that a portion of profits can be donated to non-profit missions supporting the underserved. For more Information, visit www.firstfruits.com.
About Opal Apple
Opal apple is known as the apple with a purpose. Grown only in Washington, this Golden Delicious-Topaz cross apple variety was introduced by FirstFruits Marketing in 2010 to wide consumer and media acclaim. Its distinctive color, flavor and texture are not the only qualities that make this product unique: Opal apple was created to make a difference in communities across the nation. Every year, FirstFruits Marketing donates a percentage of sales of every case of apples to worthy organizations that address issues like hunger, food safety, sustainability and the environment. UEB 32642 variety apples are grown exclusively by Broetje Orchards and distributed under the OPAL® brand name by First Fruits Marketing in North America.
Source: FirstFruits Marketing of Washington