Purdue volunteers picking apples to help needy, honor entrepreneurs

November 11, 2010

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University, in collaboration with Rutgers and the University of Illinois, have developed 25 varieties of apples that have been used in pies, ciders, cobblers, cakes, jams, salad, breads, candies and often consumed fresh off the tree.

Beyond that, Purdue apples and its apple trees can be found in France, Italy, Chile, South Africa, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

Next week, Purdue apples will serve another purpose - to fill the pantries of Lafayette Urban Ministry and honor Global Entrepreneurship Week. Volunteers from Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue University will pick thousands of apples and donate them to the Lafayette Urban Ministry.

Volunteers will be picking apples throughout the week, but the best time for photographs or video of volunteer apple pickers will be Monday (Nov. 15) from 1-4 p.m. at the orchard where the Purdue apples are grown, located at 9101 S 100 E, Lafayette, Ind. 

The apples will be taken to the Lafayette Urban Ministry, an organization formed in 1972 to help the needy. In 2009 the ministry helped more than 3,000 households through its St. John's Food Pantry. The ministry also helps individuals with emergency shelter, after-school programs, ID clinic, income tax preparation, camps and other activities.

Another goal of the program is to raise awareness for Global Entrepreneurship Week, an international initiative that fosters entrepreneurship around the world. Numerous programs are held during the week, including competitions, races, innovation tournaments, seminars and workshops.

Additional information about Purdue University-developed apples:

Dating to 1945, Purdue, in collaboration with Rutgers University and University of Illinois, developed 25 varieties of apples that have been patented and licensed through the Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization. Another 20 apple varieties are in development.

Indiana ranks 12th nationally in apple production and has about 4,000 acres of land devoted to apple growing with an annual production of about 1.2 million bushels. The Indiana apple industry brings in revenue to the state of more than $7 million annually, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Contact: Cynthia Sequin, 765-588-3340, casequin@prf.org