Olympic Athletes Sink their Teeth into USA Pears
Fresh USA Pears Part of 2008 Track and Field Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon
Portland, Ore. – July 24, 2008 – Fiber. Vitamin C. Flavor. Fresh pears had a lot to offer Olympic hopefuls at the 2008 Track and Field Olympic Team Trials that recently took place in Eugene, Oregon, where the pear is the official State Fruit.
On June 28 and 29, USA Pears were featured in a starring role at the prestigious Olympic gift lounge open to Olympians both past and present. Taking place at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on the University of Oregon Campus and sponsored by the United States Track and Field Foundation, the lounge offered esteemed guests a place to unwind, receive pampering spa treatments, and indulge in some delicious food, including healthy fresh pears.
“Sampling pears at the Olympic trials gave us the opportunity to remind the athletes, coaches and influential role-models how good a healthy, ripe, sweet, and juicy pear can taste,” said Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest. “We were also able to tout Oregon’s official State Fruit right here in Track Town USA.”
With nutrition being such an important part of an Olympic athlete’s training schedule, the athletes were pleased to learn about the delicious pear’s nutritional profile. Each medium sized pear is an excellent source of fiber at 6g per pear, which covers 24% of the daily recommended amount for most adults. In addition, 7mg of Vitamin C are provided, which equals 10% the recommended daily amount, and at 190mg per pear, potassium can also be found in the fresh pear’s sweet and juicy package… all for 100 calories.
Elite Olympians such as Carl Lewis and Mary Decker were in attendance along with Olympic hopefuls like Shakeema Welsch, Women’s Triple Jump competitor and professed fan of Red Anjou pears in particular.
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About Pear Bureau Northwest
The Pear Bureau Northwest is a nonprofit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon. The Bureau represents nearly 1,700 growers who grow 84 percent of the nation’s fresh pear crop, and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.
Pear Bureau Northwest is also the proud sponsor of professional athletes Torin Koos and Debbie Spino, with the U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Race Walking Team respectively.
Contact:
Cristie Mather
Communications Manager
Pear Bureau Northwest
cmather@usapears.com
(503) 652-9720
Pear Bureau Northwest prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Pear Bureau at (503) 652-9720.