Apples

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. You can find processed apples all year in juice, canned and applesauce form.

Michigan apple facts:

• 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 9.2 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 36,500 acres on 850 family-run farms throughout Michigan’s lower peninsula
• Michigan harvested about 126 million pounds of apples in 2012, but in a typical year averages 966 million pounds of apples
• 60 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

Nutrition:

• 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