To celebrate the Chinese New Year, which begins with 24 days of celebration starting Jan. 31, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA, has developed a health-centered promotion for the Year of the Horse.

Reaching out to both domestic and export markets, OSRG is providing eye-catching point-of-sale materials for its Fuji apples and Red Anjou pears.

According to Oneonta Marketing Director Scott Marboe, the promotion will launch Jan. 31 in all markets and will run longer in select Asian markets. The program can include all varieties of apples and pears, although Marboe said current focus is on Fujis and Red Anjous.

“Red is a very popular color in Asia, and of course our Fujis have long been associated with Chinese New Year,” he said. Marboe added that promotions centered on Red Delicious apples will run in tandem with the Chinese New Year campaign in select markets.

Going into 2014, demand for fruit is high, Marboe said. “It’s great, actually better than we expected for this time of year. We’ve seen the typical after-Christmas slowdown, but demand has remained very steady, and we expect that to continue.”

As for the Year of the Horse, related to the Chinese astrological fire sign, followers celebrate it as a time of adventure and surprises.

Tradition says the horse is also a symbol of high energy and productivity, two traits associated with the health-giving properties of fresh apples and pears.

Both are excellent sources of disease-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids and fiber. Apples are good sources of vitamin C, and pears are sources of carotenoids, which provide defense against several inflammatory diseases, including diabetes.

Moreover, Northwest apples and pears, invaluable as out-of-hand healthy snacks, have proven to be very versatile in cooking and  meal preparation. Center-plate dishes take on a completely new dimension when they include the sweet crispness of fresh pears and apples.

And more and more wine aficionados are discovering apples and pears team up beautifully with delicate and robust cheeses as well as with fine wines, creating a perfect “pair the taste” setting.

An assortment of recipes and serving suggestions can be found at www.oneonta.com.