How ‘Bout Them Ontario Apples?

There are Many Farms Across Ontario Open for Apple Picking

With fresh, crisp apples ready to be picked at many farms across the province, it’s a great time to get out with family and friends and support your local farmers.

Celebrate this tasty fall harvest by:

• Visiting your local apple orchard: Visit one of the many apple farms across the province. Apple harvest starts in August and ends in November.
• Buying local: Purchase Ontario grown and harvested apples at your local grocery store, farmers’ market or directly from a producer. Look for the Foodland Ontariologo.
• Making something delicious: Apples are a healthy snack that can be enjoyed fresh, cooked, or frozen and are at the core of many tasty and healthy dishes.
• Exploring different varieties: There are many apple varieties that are best suited for different purposes such as eating fresh, cooking, baking and storing, just to name a few.

Supporting Ontario’s farm and food sector is part of Ontario’s plan to create jobs, grow the economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

• Apples have existed as a wild fruit since prehistoric times and have been cultivated for more than 3,000 years.
• There are 15 different main varieties of apples grown on nearly 16,000 acres in Ontario. The province’s major apple-producing areas are along the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
• The top seven varieties in Ontario are McIntosh, Gala, Empire, Red Delicious, Northern Spy, Honeycrisp and Ambrosia.

Additional Resources

• Ontario’s Apple Growers
• ontario.ca/agriculture-news

Quotes

“Apples are more than just a nutritious and tasty snack – they’re yet another delicious example of the good things that grow in Ontario. This season, I encourage people to support their local farmers by visiting one of the many orchards across the province to pick their own apples. When you buy local, you are helping support Ontario farmers and creating good jobs across the province.”

Jeff Leal

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“Apple producers are passionate about growing and harvesting the best quality apples in Ontario. This fall, visit an apple farmer near you to pick your own apples and to meet the people who grow the tasty apples you and your family love to eat.”

Charles R. Stevens

Chair of the Ontario Apple Growers