08/21/08 Healthy Fries

Healthy Fries. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. A while back I reported that Burger King was adding a new item to their menu and it wasn't a calorie laden item but a healthy choice aimed at the kids. Fresh Apple Fries have been a surprise hit selling more that 3-million servings since their nationwide rollout in June. Keva Silversmith, Burger King spokesperson SILVERSMITH: We did research with both moms and kids and found that this is an innovative food and a way of serving it that would resonate with kids and kids would find fun to eat and at the same time moms would find it nutritionally convenient. The fresh cut apple fries are served in the traditional fry pod like French fried potatoes but there is nothing fried about them. SILVERSMITH: It's actually a fresh cut apple cut in the shape of a French fry. There's nothing fried about it, it's a fresh apple. The apples are cut in a sterile environment to prevent any bacteria that can cause browning from getting to the fries and they're also  they undergo a wash in a combination blend of vitamin C and calcium in order to try to maintain the freshness as well. The popularity of the apple fries has surprised Burger King execs and has exceeded their expectations by 85%. Suppliers, including Selah, Wash.-based Tree Top Inc., and Salinas, Calif.-based Fresh Express Inc., have done a good job helping Burger King meet that demand. The sliced apples and a low-fat caramel dipping sauce are available a la carte for $1.49 or as part of the chain's children's meal menu, which also includes macaroni and cheese and milk. The meal has a suggested retail price of $3.49. A number of store locations have reported selling out of the item. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.