COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio apples are smaller this year and are the perfect size to fit in your pocket. When you put on your fall jacket, put a sweet Ohio apple in each pocket and enjoy them as a nutritious snack throughout the day. This convenient, portable snack has positive benefits to consumers. Researchers at the University of California-Davis recently reported that apples and apple cider may help protect arteries from harmful plaque build-up. In the first study conducted in humans, adults who added two apples or 12 ounces of 100% apple cider to their daily diet, demonstrated a significant slowing of the cholesterol oxidation process that leads to plaque build-up -- thereby giving the body more time to rid itself of cholesterol before it can cause harm. Good taste, convenience and healthy nutrition all in one apple. What a deal! 

October is an opportune time to take advantage of this good tasting deal. It is National Apple Month and is also the harvest peak for Ohio growers. Even with the dry summer weather, apples and apple cider are in plentiful supply. Ohio apple growers are anxious to assist consumers in taking advantage of this excellent value and many have fall festivals and orchard tours available to the public. Visiting a local orchard or farm market is a great family excursion and creates an opportunity to purchase fresh from the tree apples and cider. To locate a nearby orchard or farm market, consumers may access the Ohio apple website at http://www.ohioapples.org 

Additionally, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has an Ohio Farmers Market Directory at web address: http://www.ohioproud.org/pubs.html . 

In addition to locating producers, the Ohio apple website has many other features to assist apple consumers. If you are looking for new ways to prepare apples, award winning recipes are presented. Also available is the "Ohio's Favorite Apples and Their Uses" chart which has just been recently updated. There is also more information concerning health and nutrition, apple education, children's activities, Johnny Appleseed and much more. There are also links to other apple related websites. Take some time browse this site and learn more about Ohio's favorite apples. And when you put on that jacket, don't forget to put an apple or two in your pocket!