To you , your community , and the planet
Local apples are simply better by Melissa Rowe
I t ❧❧
To reach Boston , an apple from Chile travels over 5000 food miles
’ s apple season ! That time of year when flocks of people visit local orchards for a fun day of pick your own , cider donuts , and hayrides . They head home with bushels of apples , warm memories , content knowing that they ’ ve supported their local grower .
But what about every other day of the year ? Even though Massachusetts produces over 40 million pounds of apples each year , and every state in the country grows apples , we import apples at an alarming rate . The leading supplier is Chile , followed by New Zealand , Canada and Argentina .
That ’ s a long way for an apple to travel ; and with significant cost to our economy and our environment !
❧❧
Apples must be packaged carefully to prevent against bruising and damage … all this packaging creates waste
❧❧
Shipping via planes , trains , trucks , and / or ships consumes large amounts energy and pollutes our air and oceans .
❧❧
You have no way of knowing who grows , processes , ships or handles your produce
❧❧
Apples are typically picked unripe and treated with chemicals to slow the ripening process .
❧❧
And , the apples you are buying are at least 2 weeks old and by some reports , could be over a year old !
Contrast that with buying freshly harvested apples from a local grower ; someone you can look in the eye and shake hands with . Apples that have traveled far fewer food miles , that don ’ t require packaging , that are picked by hand when ripe . Apples that are not only better tasting , but that are better for you .
Sure , fresh apples won ’ t be around forever … but they are probably here longer than you think .
❧❧ when stored properly , apples will keep for 6 months or more
❧❧ orchard and farm stores in MA generally stay open through the holidays
❧❧ local CSAs deliver apples through the winter months
And if you absolutely need an apple in the off season , make sure to check where your food is coming from .
Buy local . It ’ s worth it !
GROW ! BOSTON
21