By Adam Calder, Produce Manager

Local Apples

Have you tried the local apples this fall? If you haven’t yet, you should soon, as you may just move candy from its starring role in Halloween celebrations and move Iowa apples into that center stage spot.

The apple crop this year is of excellent quality and variety. If you want a crisp apple with an acidic bite or a soft apple with a juicy finish, and everything in between, then we’ve got you covered. Have you ever tried a Secor apple? Or a Jonadel? Perhaps a Jonathan, Gala, Gingergold, Laura Red, Smoothie, Cameo, Honeycrisp, Red Free, Joan, Red Sharon, Spartan, Starkspur, Empire, Chieftain, Cortland or Golden Delicious would be more to your liking.

If you like Red Delicious, then you have to try some of the Original Delicious apples we have in stock. These apples have a historical significance, as they are the apple that all Red Delicious apple trees come from. They are small and not as red as you might expect from a Red Delicious, but they have that same familiar taste and texture. The Original Delicious we have in stock are actually from a sapling taken from that very first Red Delicious apple tree (which still lives in Iowa to this day) and a few of those saplings grew into adult trees on the Iowa State University Horticultural Research Station.

Biting into a fresh, tree ripened Iowa grown apple is truly a Halloween treat and would be a welcome addition to any trick-or-treater’s bag. If certified organic apples are more what you were looking to share with ghouls and goblins this year, then look for our new 5 pound Halloween bags of gala apples. These bags come with a festive jack-o-lantern on the bag and the price per pound in this value bag comes in under $2 a pound.

We’ve also still got a great selection of Iowa grown carving pumpkins and decorative gourds of every size, shape, color and texture one can imagine if you are looking to add the final touches to your Halloween decorations. The first Iowa organic chestnuts of the season arrived this month, and these brown beauties are as delicious as they are a glowing chestnut color. They are a delight just to look at, and an absolute pleasure to eat. Sweet and savory, nutty and buttery, they are truly a taste of autumn. There’s no need wait for an open fire in the winter to roast these little gems over, and if you are planning a Halloween party then you should consider roasting some of these up for your guests.

So if you are looking for Iowa grown apples, gourds, pumpkins or chestnuts to complete your Halloween plans, then look no further than the Wheatsfield Co-op Produce Department!