USA PEARS SPONSORS U.S. SKI TEAM ATHLETE TORIN KOOS
Northwest-grown Pears Support Northwest-grown Cross Country Skier in 2010 Winter Olympic Games
PORTLAND , Ore. (January 28, 2010) – As culinary masters say: “What grows together, goes together.” USA Pears believes the same can be said for Northwest-grown pears and Olympic cross country skier, Torin Koos. Koos grew up in the Pacific Northwest, America’s prime pear growing region and home to 84% of the U.S. fresh pear crop. Because Koos’s approach to healthy diet and exercise are an inspiration to all who want to live a healthier lifestyle, USA Pears has been an official sponsor of 29-year-old Koos for several years and is proud to continue its support as he competes in his third consecutive Winter Olympic Games in 2010.
To celebrate this extraordinary achievement, USA Pears has released a limited edition Torin Koos Trading Pin for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games taking place in Vancouver February 12 - 28. Koos will personally distribute these pins at the Games, and they are also available to pear lovers stateside. Grocers across Washington are offering the pins for free to shoppers who purchase at least three pounds of fresh USA Pears. Washington’s Thriftway, Red Apple, and Haggen stores are featuring pear display signage showing their enthusiastic support for this hometown athlete, and allowing fans to obtain the Torin Koos Trading Pin for free by purchasing pears and completing a simple mail order form.
In addition, the commemorative pins are available for purchase online at www.usapears.org. The pins cost $10, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Boys and Girls Club, a nonprofit organization that Koos generously supports. Last year, he and other members of the U.S. Ski Team organized educational clinics for kids at Boys and Girls Club locations to celebrate Olympic Day 2009. Children learned about physical fitness and the importance of leading an active lifestyle direct from the athletes themselves, and also were treated to a healthy snack of fresh, sweet and juicy pears.
As a professional athlete, Koos says that sound nutrition is integral to his success and pears are a key part of his diet. Having been raised among the orchards in Leavenworth, Washington, he holds a special affinity for pears. “I grew up skiing beside pear trees at Leavenworth’s Ski Hill,” he says. “In the summer, I ran through pear orchards and earned my summer wages selling pears and other produce at the local fruit stand, Smallwood’s Harvest.” This deep history with pears inspires his important pre-race meal, “a big bowl of oatmeal, topped with brown sugar and slices of Green Anjou pears three hours before race time. Works like a charm.”
When asked his feelings about the Olympics, Koos shares, “It’s the festival of sport powerful enough to unite the world. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
To learn more about Torin Koos and his partnership with USA Pears, visit www.usapears.org.
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About USA Pears and Pear Bureau Northwest:
The Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the U.S. fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents 1,600 pear growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.
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.