FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    Contact: Denise Donohue   
October 19, 2009                                                                                            (800) 456-2753

 

Time ticking to visit local farm markets

Fresh apples among bounty of locally grown produce

 
(DeWitt, Mich.) - Michiganders and those visiting the "Great Lakes" state have just two weekends left to visit a local farm market before the close of the season, which for many occurs in early November.

 
"Now is the ideal time to sneak in one last trip to an apple orchard or cider mill," said Denise Donohue, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee.  "The cider, apple and donut experience is really quite unique to Michigan.  We're one of the only states that celebrates fall in such grand apple style."

 
To find the nearest apple-selling farm market and hours of operation, visit MichiganApples.com/farm-markets.  The Michigan Apple Committee has also launched MichiganAppleTours.com that gives suggested tours of Michigan Apple country by region.

 
Farm markets sell all types of fresh produce from asparagus to apples.  In fact, Michigan is the second leading state in terms of agricultural diversity - behind California.

 
"We certainly have a bounty of fresh produce grown here in Michigan," said Donohue.  "Show your support of local agriculture by visiting a farm market where you're guaranteed some of the freshest local produce available throughout the growing season."

 
The Michigan apple harvest typically wraps up by the last week of October, but this year's unseasonably cool and rainy fall has delayed picking a couple of weeks on average.  The state produces about 20 different varieties for the commercial market, and hundreds of others for the farm market.

 
"One highlight of visiting a farm market is that you can get those hard-to-find heirloom apples," said Donohue.  "The ones your ancestors raved about, but are hard to find in the grocery store."

 
Michigan is the third-largest producer of apples in the nation, behind Washington and New York.  The industry annually contributes more than $700 million of economic impact to the state.

 
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world. 

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(800) 456-2753             MichiganApples.com 13105 Schavey Rd., Ste. 2, DeWitt, MI 48820