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California Walnuts | Essential Food for Health

McDonald’s® USA Receives Distinguished Service Award From California Walnut Commission and Walnut Marketing Board

(Carmel, Calif.)  February 24, 2006 - The California Walnut Commission and Walnut Marketing Board have announced McDonald’s USA as the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Service Award, the California walnut industry’s highest award. Mark Lepine, director of menu development, McDonald’s USA, was presented with the award at last night’s walnut industry meeting in Carmel in recognition of the company’s introduction of the Fruit & Walnut Salad which includes a packet of candied walnuts to sprinkle on top.

McDonald’s Fruit & Walnut Salad was introduced in the U.S. in May 2005 as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to provide customers with a variety of menu choices to encourage customers to lead balanced, active lifestyles through promoting food choice, physical activity and nutrition literacy.

“Our customers are loving the Fruit & Walnut Salad,” said Wade Thoma, vice president of menu management, McDonald’s USA. “McDonald’s is committed to providing our valued customers with menu choice and variety. We continually strive to meet our customers’ changing needs and the Fruit & Walnut Salad is a great example of a quick, convenient, on-the-go way to consume apples and other fresh fruit. Additionally, it tastes great, meets a variety of nutritional needs and can be part of a Balanced Active Lifestyle,” added Thoma.

The Fruit & Walnut Salad contains a selection of fresh, succulent red and green apples and grapes and is served with a side of low-fat yogurt and candied walnuts.

“The California walnut industry applauds McDonald’s efforts in continuing its commitment to providing consumers easy and accessible ways to consume healthful foods and for exemplifying that consumers will, in fact, select healthful foods like fruit, yogurt and walnuts if such options are made available,” said Dennis A. Balint, CEO, California Walnut Commission and Executive Director, Walnut Marketing Board. 

About the Walnut Marketing Board and California Walnut Commission: The Distinguished Service Award was established in 1989 to honor significant contributions to the California walnut industry. Located in Sacramento, California, the Walnut Marketing Board and California Walnut Commission represent the approximately 5,300 walnut growers and 55 walnut handlers of California by promoting consumption of walnuts through publicity, product promotions, research and education programs in the U.S. and internationally. California provides 99 percent of the total U.S. commercial crop of walnuts, accounting for the majority of the world’s trade in walnuts. Visit www.walnuts.org.

About McDonald’s USA: McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.