Apples and Cider from New York
Apple-picking, hot apple cider and donuts, fresh apple pies… the fall season in New York is peak time for all things apple, making the New York apple industry one of the state’s most important for agritourism, or, as we like to call it, “appletourism.”
New York is the second largest producer of apples in the country, with more than 600 apple growers and 150 pick-your- own apple orchards across the state’s varied countryside. These apple-growing operations range in size from a few rows of trees to large, modernized orchards spanning thousands of acres. The growing regions across the state are characterized by their unique microclimates, which lend noteworthy flavor profiles to the apples grown within them.
New York apple growing is an important part of agritourism and the state’s agricultural economy, with many orchards making their living from the sales of fresh apples at farm stores, pick-your-own apple orchards, and fresh cider and hard cider production. The past decade has seen an increase in fresh and hard cider production, dovetailing the craft beer and wine industries. Cideries and orchards are now exciting tourism destinations, offering tastings, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and photo opportunities.
The New York apple industry is special in that many growers work together to process, market, and sell their apples. Growers bring their apples to centralized packing facilities and increase their selling power in competitive retail to foodservice marketplaces. Our family-owned operations, large and small, shape the industry by working together to pack the year’s crop.
New York’s terroir includes an ideal climate for growing delicious apples, characterized by rich glacial soils and abundant water resources. New York apple growers have deep connections to their land and communities and use integrated pest management strategies and sustainable farming methods to bring their crop to market. In addition to growing delicious apples year-after-year, New York growers prioritize environmental stewardship, reducing food miles, and sustaining family farm legacies.
This year’s harvest, apple orchards, farm stands, and cideries will continue to serve local communities with education and, of course, all the apples you can carry. To find our orchards, cideries, and apple gift box vendors near you, explore the interactive locator map at www.applesfromny.com.
New York Apple Association applesfromny.com
