National Farm to School Month and National Apple Month
National Farm to School Month and National Apple Month
October is National Farm to School Month!
As summer gives way to cooler nights and changing foliage, we look forward to all of the wonderful things the fall season has to offer. October is nationally recognized as Farm to School (F2S) month, providing the perfect opportunity to highlight the abundance of local agricultural products being harvested this time of year. From pumpkins and winter squash, to apples and grapes, there is much to celebrate this fall. In fact, October is also National Apple Month, and Seneca County CCE’s F2S program is gearing up for a fun filled F2S month by featuring NYS apples! Funded by a NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets F2S grant, the program will be celebrating F2S with meet the farmer and orchard tour videos, apple recipes and nutrition, and an “NY Apple Variety of the Day” spotlight.
We are looking forward to an apple packed F2S month this October. Make sure you check out the NYS Farm to School Program - CCE Seneca Facebook page everyday this month for the featured “NY Apple Variety of the Day”, as well as recipes and farm videos. This is a great time to support local farmers and apple orchards, so get out there and enjoy the gorgeous apple picking weather and peak fall foliage in the Finger Lakes region!
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Autumn Sausage, Veggie, and Apple Sheet Pan Dinner
Try out this easy, healthy recipe that has all the colors and flavors of fall farm harvests. This Autumn Sausage, Veggie, and Apple Sheet Pan Dinner is a one dish meal the whole family will love. And did I mention how yummy it is? So good! Be sure to put this in the regular rotation this fall and winter season and you won't be disappointed!
Baked Apples with Crisp Topping
Try this baked apple recipe that is a slightly easier take on apple crisp. So easy kiddos can make it themselves with just a bit of help or supervision at the beginning and end. Let them take over and have fun following all the steps in the middle. So yummy make sure you grab a bite before they're gone!
Apple Cinnamon Oat Muffins
Have fun in the kitchen with your kiddos making these muffins loaded with apples and oats for a quick, guilt-free breakfast option that's easy to make and perfect for the fall season.
Apple Cider Cheddar Biscuits
Filled with applesauce, apple cider, and cheddar cheese, these biscuits can be offered as a little sweet treat or skip the topping and serve as a sweet and savory side to roasted winter squash or Butternut Soup.
Recipe adapted from New York Apples Apple Biscuit recipe here: https://www.applesfromny.com/recipes/apple-biscuits/
Waldorf Salad Recipe
Honeycrisp get their name from being honey-sweet with juicy crispness. They are best for fresh eating and salads, but can also be used for baking and applesauce. Try out this quick, easy recipe or just grab one for a snack and see what you think.
You can make the classic recipe with mayonnaise and walnuts or this slightly healthier, nut free version with greek yogurt and pumpkin seeds.
Last updated November 23, 2020
APPLES
Apples are the second most consumed fruit in the U.S., only second to bananas, and according to the USDA, New York State is the 2nd largest apple producing state, right behind Washington. On average 29.5 million bushels of apples are produced annually by the 600 commercial apple growers in the state. In NYS alone, there are more than 31 varieties of apples commercially available, enough to highlight a new variety each day this month. Check out some of the most well-known varieties for flavor profiles and best uses here (click on image for PDF):
NY is also home to the oldest apple breeding program in the US, which is located right here in the Finger Lakes and has released over 65 varieties since the 1890’s, including the Cortland, Macoun, Empire, and Jonagold apples. The Cornell Apple Breeding Program released two of these varieties, the popular Snapdragon® and RubyFrost® in 2013 and earlier this year Cornell apple researchers at Cornell AgriTech released three new apple varieties: Cordera, Pink Luster, and Firecracker, which are projected to be the next favorites of apple lovers everywhere.