Apples are the October Harvest of the Month

This month we are celebrating one of the most popular fruits in America, the apple! The original apples were domesticated in Central Asia between 5,000 and 10,000 year ago. Since then we have developed hundreds of varieties of apples grown all throughout the world. 

During the month of October, you may find apples used more abundantly in a variety of recipes from our cafeterias.

Did You Know?

  • The science of growing apples is called “pomology.”
  • Most of the world’s apples are still picked by hand.
  • Gala apples have recently become the most popular apple in the U.S., replacing the Red Delicious apple.

Try These Delicious Recipes

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Baked Apples with Crunchy Oat Topping
Crockpot Applesauce

How to Buy, Store & Prepare: Apples are in the peak season during the fall months, especially September through November. However, apples can be purchased year round at nearly all grocery stores. Apples can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They will last the longest if stored around 35 degrees F and with 90-95% relative humidity. Apples produce a large amount of ethylene gas, which can cause other produce items to ripen quickly. Consider storing apples away from other produce items, unless you need them to ripen quickly.

Making it Kid-Friendly: Apples are sweet and crunchy, making them a kid approved food, most of the time. Kids may be less likely to eat apples if they are not served fresh. Apples quickly brown and change texture when exposed to oxygen. Consider squeezing lemon or pineapple juice on apples to retain their color and freshness for several hours.

Nutrition and Health Benefits: You’ve heard “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, that’s not completely true, but incorporating apples and other fresh produce items is an integral part of an overall healthy diet. Apples are rich in vitamin C- an important antioxidant. They are also rich in fiber. It is a growing misconception that fruit, especially sweeter fruits like apples, should be avoided due to their high sugar content. This is untrue. Apples and other fruits do contain sugar but that amount of sugar pales in comparison to the amount of sugar in more traditional desserts and sweets.

Calories: 94.6Protein: .5g
Total Fat: 0gPotassium: 195mg
Total Carbohydrate: 25gVitamin C: 8mg
Phosphorus: 20mgMagnesium: 9mg

Serving Size: 1 medium apple