South Africa’s Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum (WCCPF) supplied more than 18,000 oranges to players and spectators at this year’s US Youth Soccer National Championships tournament played last week in Lancaster, Massachusetts, marking the first time that South African citrus was available on the national soccer stage.
Some 60 teams from across the US played in the three-day tournament and WCCPF provided more than 2,300 quartered oranges to each team’s players for all of their games as well as nearly 16,000 additional oranges to spectators.
“Soccer and South African oranges are a natural pairing – our oranges are the perfect thirst quenching and energizing snack for soccer players,” said Piet Smit, managing director of the WCCPF. “The fiber of the orange pulp provides a long release of energy for the players as compared to other snacks which may provide an immediate burst of energy followed by a rapid decline.”
Players and spectators alike were overwhelmingly positive in their praise of the oranges, commenting on the juicy and refreshing flavor and easy peel skin.
“Based on the response and reaction of those who sampled the fruit, this program was a great success,” added Mr Smit. “By reaching so many people, we have raised the profile of South African summer citrus with the expectations that the desire for more of this delicious fruit will convert to purchase at the point of sale.”
South African summer citrus is now available to at retailers up and down the East coast and as far west in the US as the Mississippi River.
