A friend owns a local apple orchard and she was saying it has been a tough year for apples. I forget why exactly so what you are saying doesn't shock me.
Post by oliverboliverbutt on Aug 6, 2012 9:30:16 GMT -5
Lots of places had early warming, leading to early blossoming- then a freeze. The trees can rebloom, but our local orchard says that apples will be sparse and ugly this year.
I'm sure the drought didn't do the trees any favors either
Yes, there is an apple shortage in the East & Mid-West. The WA state apple crop is thought to be able to cover the difference, however a large hail storm last week may put a kink in those plans. Honeycrisp apple are high in sugar & therefore don't store well, so there aren't any left from last seasons crop. WA states storage supplies are starting to get a bit tight. CA just started shipping early varieties.
Post by redheadbaker on Aug 6, 2012 11:59:11 GMT -5
Farmers markets usually have local produce, right? So there wouldn't likely be WA state apples there. Agreed that it's too early for honeycrisps -- I love them and can't wait for fall!
Post by karinothing on Aug 6, 2012 12:05:43 GMT -5
When I was at the Farmer's market they only had one variety of apples (they were green, I dont' remember what kind, not granny smith). ANYWAY, they told me it was an early variety and the other apples were not ready. So I would guess there are no apples because it is not yet apple season.
Yes, there is an apple shortage in the East & Mid-West. The WA state apple crop is thought to be able to cover the difference, however a large hail storm last week may put a kink in those plans. Honeycrisp apple are high in sugar & therefore don't store well, so there aren't any left from last seasons crop. WA states storage supplies are starting to get a bit tight. CA just started shipping early varieties.
Wait. There aren't any left over from last season's crop? Meaning that other apples with less sugar content would store well from last season's crop? And by "last season" do you mean a year ago?
Crap. I thought I did well to have apples last a few weeks in my fridge. How do they keep apples for a year?
If you honestly think that *everything* at your farmers market is local...well, all I'm saying is that at the wholesale market I work at I see PLENTY of farmers loading up on thursday & friday to cover shortages at weekend markets. And yes, a red delicious, golden delicious or anything else bought at Shaws, Kroger, etc is most likely grown last year and put into cold storage, then shipped as needed throughout the year. Or its shipped in from the southern hemishphere.
Post by laurenpetro on Aug 7, 2012 11:24:20 GMT -5
CONGRATS kelbrian!!!!!
copz, i'm in an extremely apple-heavy area (we have Applefest here . there shouldn't be apples in the market for at least 3 more weeks but i saw some at the market on 7/30. that's a full month before they should be available.
The apple crop here was ruined in the spring when we had warm weather, they blossomed, and then it all froze again. And this is a region with a lot of apple farming.