USA Pears fruit bowl

The beginning of the US Northwest pear harvest season, which kicked off in early August, also coincides with the start of actress Amy Smart's new role as official spokesperson for USA Pears.

Known for her roles in hit films like Road Trip, Just Friends and The Butterfly Effect, and her upcoming role in Tyson's Run, Smart has also established herself as a trusted voice of sustainable living and healthy eating, even tending her own garden at home.

'Knowing where my food comes from is one of my highest priorities, and when I visited the Pacific Northwest to see the harvest for myself I was incredibly inspired by the pride and dedication of the pear growers,' said Smart. 'Harvest time is a special time, and I'm so happy I could see the start of this year's pear crop before it made its way to stores.'

Smart will be working with USA Pears throughout the 2018/19 season to share her favourite pear-inspired recipes, featuring many of the ten varieties of pears, as well as important tips on how to enjoy pears to the fullest.

The videos will correspond mostly to the seasonal promotional themes of Hand-picked Harvest, Holiday Inspiration, and nutrition. For the most part, these videos will be used on social media and in digital ads, as well as shared with retailers.

'We are excited to share our work with Amy Smart with consumers and retailers,' said Kathy Stephenson, marketing communications director at Pear Bureau Northwest. 'Along with our other promotional efforts throughout the season, the videos with Amy Smart will show our commitment to engaging our audience and growing the demand for pears, as well as our ongoing work bringing enthusiasm to the category.'