New York apple growers, on behalf of 42 participating supermarket chains, have once again donated $25,000 to the American Cancer Society (ACS) as part of an ongoing effort to help fight cancer and raise awareness of the cancer-fighting benefits of eating apples.

“We’re proud to have local grocers help us promote good nutrition through apples,” said Linda Quinn, a nutritionist for the Fishers, N.Y.-based New York Apple Association (NYAA).

New York apple growers and their supermarkets partners have made the donation an annual tradition in the Northeast, donating more than $200,000 over the past eight years. In more than 3,200 retail locations, grocers will be placing promotional posters next to McIntosh, Empire and other displays of New York apple varieties in their produce departments. The signs, showing three New York state apple varieties with pink ribbons, inform consumers about the Cancer Society fundraising effort.

Apple growers have made cancer awareness and prevention a major industry priority. New York has 695 commercial apple growers and ranks second nationally in apple production, with an estimated 31.4 million bushels harvested last fall.

NYAA will make the donation to the ACS on behalf of the following supermarkets: A&P, Acme Fresh Market, Acme Markets, AIM, Aldi, Big M, Bi-Lo, Bravo, C-Town, D’Agostino Supermarkets, Fisher Foods, The Food Emporium, Foodtown, Grand Union, Gristedes, Hannaford, IGA, Jubilee, Key Foods, King Kullen, Kings, Marc’s, Margruders, Market Basket, Mars Supermarkets, Nice N Easy, P&C, Pathmark, Price Chopper, Quality Markets, Riverside Markets, Roche Bros., Shaw’s, Shop n Bag, ShopRite, Shoppers Food Warehouse, Shur Fine Markets, Sparkle Markets, Super Fresh, Tops Markets, Waldbaum’s, Wegmans Food Markets and Western Beef.