Image of a bunch of red/yellow apples & and an apple decorated in Fourth of July costume
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The Apple: A Great American Fruit

Thirty states in the U.S. have a state fruit, from the strawberry to the peach. We think it’s time to pick a national fruit! Here’s why it should be the apple.

From the September 2023 Issue
Topics: Health,

John Bunker/OutOnALimbApples.com (Purple Apple); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

Good for You

Chewing apples may help clean your teeth.

Ingredients in apple peels may protect your heart.  

The vitamins and minerals in apples may keep your bones strong.

Varied

About 2,500 different types of apples are grown in the U.S. They come in many flavors (including vanilla, chestnut, and lemonade) and colors (like pink, white, and purple)!

Apples are already the state fruit of 7 U.S. states.

69% of Americans rank apple as one of their favorite fruit juice flavors.

Every year, Americans eat more apples (fresh, canned, or juiced) than any other fruit.

Part of Our Language

Apples appear in many idioms and sayings, like . . .

  • “As American as apple pie” (typical of the United States)
  • “The apple of my eye” (a beloved person)
  • “A bad apple” (a bad person)

Write to Win

Write a letter to the U.S. president explaining why the apple should be our national fruit. Use facts from the infographic to support your letter. Send it to “Apple Contest” by December 15, 2023. Five winners will each receive a Storyworks prize. Visit the Storyworks Contests page for more information.

This infographic was originally published in the September 2023 issue.

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

1. Reading and Discussing 

2. Writing

Preview the writing prompt in the “Write to Win” box.

Download and distribute the guided-writing activity that goes along with the infographic.

Have students respond to the writing prompt. If you wish, send their responses to our infographic contest. 

3. Ideas to Engage and Inspire

Have students create their own infographics! Download our “Make Your Own Infographic” activity from Storyworks Digital.

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