PHILADELPHIA, PA - Two billion apple packs in twelve years.

That is the milestone that McDonald’s, fast food giant and purveyor of burgers, celebrated yesterday in its pursuit of offering more fruits and vegetables to its consumers, particularly the youngest ones.

"We are proud of being part of a growing trend through increased access to pre-sliced apple packages," said Steve Kerley, Vice President and General Manager of McDonald's in the Philadelphia Region, in a press release. "This milestone is a marker of McDonald's continuing to play an important role in every community and our ongoing efforts to help increase access to fruit and other nutritious food for children.”

The choice to serve the value-added fruit necessitated suppliers with the capacity to meet the offering, which McDonald’s said boosted pre-sliced apple package availability and, in turn, the impact of that industry on the next generation of consumers.

“The decision to serve real apple slices with Happy Meals more than a decade ago helped make it easier for parents to ensure that their children are getting wholesome options," Kerley stated.

McDonald’s made the addition to its kids menu in April of 2004, one of the first to successfully create a market for convenient, fresh-cut apple packs, with the U.S.’s children of today 12 and under never knowing a Happy Meal that didn’t have the option.

What will coming years hold as the chain continues to pursue its 2014 goal of doubling the amount of fruits and vegetables it sells? Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we look to find out.

McDonald's