Designer Apples Carry Personalized Messages

Designer apples carry personalized messages FARM HOME Food 9-6-16 A former high school ag teacher has developed a new process that lets him put special messages and de-signs on apples for sale as novelties. David Guthrie, founder of Apple Attractions, Tonasket, Wash., grows Red Delicious apples in bags to prevent reddening. After harvest, workers put sticker designs on the cream colored apples and use special light to redden them. Once they remove the stickers, the red apples are left with a cream-colored design. A special solution is then applied to the apple to keep the design part of the apple from ripening. According to Guthrie's associate, John Turner, the company has experienced a big demand for the fruit from places such as Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas to New York City businesses interested in the idea as a way to promote the "Big Apple". "So far we've got 23 different designs and messages. The apples are sold in individual gift boxes for $4.95 each plus $3.00 shipping and handling," says Turner, noting that the Japanese have worked on developing monogrammed fruit for some 30 years but that their process is much more costly and complex and doesn't always work. For more information, contact: Apple Attractions, Inc., P.O. Box G, Omak, Wash. 98841 (ph. toll-free 800 692-7753).

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