Ontario’s apple growers are kicking off this year’s harvest season with optimism and excitement, as early reports show a crop of excellent quality and flavour. Thanks to a hot, dry summer followed by cooler late-summer nights, this year’s apples are shaping up to be among the best in recent memory.
“The growing conditions this year have really worked in our favour,” says Chris Hedges, apple grower in Norfolk County and Chair of the Ontario Apple Growers. “The summer heat helped with flavour development and boosted sugar levels, and the cooler temperatures now are bringing out beautiful colour in the fruit. The early apples we’re harvesting are of very high quality – about as good a crop as it could be.”
This year’s crop is larger than last year’s, with growers relieved to have avoided frost, hail, or major weather challenges during the season. Ontario consumers can look forward to their favourite varieties, including Gala, Honeycrisp, and Ambrosia, as well as more than a dozen others grown across the province’s prime apple-growing regions near Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay.
“Ontario apple growers have invested heavily in planting new orchards so that we’re growing the varieties and types of apples that Ontarians want,” Hedges adds. “We know shoppers have many choices at the grocery store, and we’re grateful for the strong support Ontarians show us in choosing apples grown right here at home. Apples are a staple in our diets and buying local helps keep our sector and our economy strong.”
Apples remain a versatile favourite – a convenient, healthy snack and a key ingredient in baking, desserts, and family meals. Beyond the fruit itself, Ontarians are also enjoying the growing number of on-farm retail experiences across the province.
“Over the last several decades, we’ve seen an amazing shift to direct-to-consumer opportunities like pick-your-own farms, on-farm markets, and agri-tourism experiences,” says Hedges. “It’s a perfect way for anyone to enjoy a wholesome, local outing and see firsthand how their food is grown.”
Source : On Apples