Ontario will have an abundance of great, locally grown apples this year, according to the region's growers. Good growing weather is resulting in a larger crop than last year, which means Ontario apples will be available right through the fall and winter months.
“Our 2018 growing season has seen plenty of sun and warm temperatures to make for a terrific crop of Ontario apples this year,” says Ontario Apple Growers chair Charles Stevens, who grows apples and blueberries in the Newcastle area. “There will be plenty of apples available so this fall is a great time to visit a local pick your own farm or farmers’ market to get your favourite varieties.”
They point out that apples are a healthy, nutritious food choice: they’re high in pectin – a soluble fibre – and contain flavonoids like quercetin. It’s flavonoids that help give fruit their colourful pigment, and research suggests they could help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, asthma, and Type-2 diabetes.
“Apples can be eaten fresh or used in a variety of delicious recipes from appetizers and main courses through to baked goods and desserts. They’re also an ideal addition to school lunches,” says Stevens. “We encourage consumers to look for the Foodland Ontario symbol when buying local apples.”
There are approximately 15 different varieties of apples grown in the province’s major apple-producing areas along the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The farm gate value of the Ontario apple crop is approximately $90 million, which includes sales to fresh and processing markets as well as on-farm/pick-your-own.
For more information:
Charles Stevens
Ontario Apple Growers
Tel: +1 (905-259-5279