Farm to Table...

News flash: this year has been a bad one for Michigan’s apples. Spring frosts and summer hail storms wrecked havoc on apples, with a potential loss of 20 percent or more, and we haven’t even gotten through the fall harvest.

The Chicago Tribune reported that apple farmers have used tactics like sonic waves that break up hail in the atmosphere (but only larger hail, small hail doesn’t get destroyed) and are diversifying crops to decrease their personal risk. Even so, this year there will be no Northern Spry apples out of Michigan (fear not, Gala, Golden Delicious, Gingergold, Paula Red, MacIntosh, and more will still be on shelves), and apple pricse are going to go up.

The plus side: stormy weather means lots of moisture, which produces larger apples. And, a hail ding doesn’t affect the taste of the apple. So, as you head out to load up on apples this fall, remember that your apples don’t have to be perfect, especially if they end up covered in caramel and nuts anyway.

Photo from Fruit Acres Farm Market & U-Pick Sweet Cherries, Peaches & Apples in Michigan.