Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Friday, September 18, 2008

Shelburne, Vt – Last night at a special harvest festival at Shelburne Orchard, Commissioner Bruce Hyde of Tourism and Marketing and Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee celebrated the start of apple season in Vermont. Surrounded by enthusiastic orchard visitors and beautiful trees full of large, ruby red apples, against a backdrop of bright blue sky, the event ushered in one of our favorite times of year here in Vermont.

“I’m impressed at the quantity and quality of this year’s apple season,” said Allbee. “This is going to be a great season for apples and cider.”

Producers across the state are reporting exceptional harvests, with larger than average fruit that is sweet, ripe and ready for picking. The wet weather early in the season and then a warm, dry August are ideal conditions for apples according to a producer in central Vermont.

“Visiting an orchard is a great way to spend time with family, get exercise and savor the beauty of Vermont. I want to encourage every Vermonter—and all of our visitors—to visit a local orchard this fall and take full advantage of Vermont’s beautiful fall season,” said Governor Douglas.

This year there are added reasons to visit a pick your own orchard in Vermont. This is the third year for the Apples to iPods promotion. Small Dog Electronics and Woodchuck Cider have teamed up with the state to give visitors of Vermont orchards a chance to win an iPod. Specially made wooden apples are hidden in orchards throughout Vermont and the lucky finders will receive an iPod thanks to Small Dog Electronics and Woodchuck Cider.

The Vermont Foodbank, Vermont orchards and Vermont Agency of Agriculture have also teamed up for the “Pick for Your Neighbor” program. While visiting an orchard to pick apples for your family, consider picking an extra bag to donate on-site for the Foodbank. The donated apples will be distributed by the Foodbank to needy Vermonters during the month of September, which is also Hunger Action Month.

Vermont has almost 4,000 acres of commercial apple production, and the state’s leading apple varieties are McIntosh, Cortland, Red Delicious and Empire. In 1999, the Vermont legislature designated the apple as the state fruit, and the apple pie as the state pie.

“These are great promotions and collaborative partnerships. We are really excited to work with orchards in the state and other partners including Small Dog Electronics, Woodchuck Cider and the Foodbank,” said Roger Allbee. “The apple industry is important to the state economy contributing more than $8 million in direct sales and an additional $12 million in value added products such as pies and cider.”

Apple picking is one of the most popular activities for visitors during Vermont’s foliage season. “People come from all over the world to enjoy Vermont’s spectacular scenery and to participate in activities such as apple picking,” said Bruce Hyde, Commissioner of Tourism and Marketing. “Visiting an apple orchard is a perfect family outing and a perfect way to explore the beauty of Vermont’s countryside.”