Acorn Farmers Market and Café: Apples in the winter

submitted by Laura Wohlgemuth, Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café Event Coordinator 

I find it absolutely amazing that even in the cold of winter, we can bite into a fresh, juicy, crunchy Michigan Apple.

When asked how farms are able to store these delicious edibles and retain their awesome crunch, Fusilier Family Farms members Mike, Chad, Travis, Kathy, and Melissa gave us this inside scoop: “After the apples are picked, they are placed into rooms and sealed tight. These rooms have the ability to lower the temperature to an exact degree, have specific controls of lowering oxygen raising the carbon dioxide, and have good air flow. In addition to this, the apples that we still have are good storage varieties. Most softer apples do not store as well compared to a firm one. It's incredible that these discoveries allow us to store apples for us to enjoy during the winter months.”

Looking for a local source for these delicious fruits? Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café has Gala, Ida, Fuji, Evercrisp, and more from both Fusilier Family Farms — Manchester and Kapnick Orchards! Omena Organics applesauce is also available at Acorn.

Apples are one of the largest and most valuable fruit crops in Michigan. It’s no surprise; Michigan apples are great fresh or in a variety of food products. Apples are in season from mid-August through mid-November. Fresh Michigan apples are available August through June thanks to controlled atmosphere storage.

Fun Facts about Michigan Apples:

• The Michigan apples industry’s annual economic impact is estimated at $700-900 million
• Michigan ranks 3rd in the nation in apple production
• There are more than 11.3 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 35,500 acres on 825 family-run farms
• Michigan harvests about 1.05 billion pounds of apples per year
• 55 percent of all Michigan apples are processed into other products
• Michigan slices more apples than any other state for use in pies and fresh-cut slices and also processes apples into applesauce, fresh and shelf-stable apple cider and apple juice

Apple Nutrition Facts:

• Apples are naturally free from fat, cholesterol and sodium
• They are an excellent source of fiber
• Apples are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which help protect the body from harmful free radicals
• Apples are a good source of B-complex vitamins and trace amounts of minerals

Fun facts and nutrition information from Michigangrown.org

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.