Cornell Cooperative Extension

Seneca County
National Farm to School Month and National Apple Month

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 2, 2020

Farm to School

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): 

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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.

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An apple a day keeps the doctor away

The old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is an ode to their nutritional value and health benefits. One apple contains 20% of your recommended daily fiber needs, 8% of your daily vitamin C, and 7% of your daily potassium. Fiber helps to control blood sugar levels, makes you feel full for a longer period of time, and improves gut health. Vitamin C supports immune health and aids in building strong bones and teeth, while potassium makes for a healthy heart. In addition to these highlighted nutrients, apples contain several other essential vitamins and minerals, making them a top choice for a quick breakfast or snack! Be sure to eat the skin. Most of the fruit’s antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber are located in, or just under, the skin. The USDA MyPlate guidelines recommend that school aged children consume 1-2 servings of fruit a day, which can be a small apple that is equivalent to 1 serving or a large apple that equals 2. Apples paired with cheese from any of our Finger Lakes cheesemakers are another great snack idea. The applesauce recipe featured below is an easy way to incorporate an apple into your day. It provides a serving of fruit, is perfect for fall time, and the smell of cinnamon will fill your home!  Did you know you can also preserve your fresh homemade applesauce to enjoy all year long?  You can even can apple pie filling to make fresh apple pies this holiday season! Cornell Cooperative Extension has certified Master Food Preservers that can help you with home food preservation questions or concerns, and information on preserving apples and canning applesauce can be found on the National Center for Home Food Preservation website, here: https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_02/applesauce.html. For other delicious apple recipes try Waldorf Salad, Kale Apple Salad, Roasted Winter Squash and Apples, or even include apples in soups, sandwiches, and many baking recipes.