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The Region of Durham boasts a thriving agriculture sector that includes apple production. It’s one of the largest apple producing regions in the province with 13 per cent of Ontario’s apples produced in Durham Region and 2,100 acres of apple orchards in production. As Durham’s top producer, Clarington has 1,950 acres in production with the majority found in Newcastle—earning the town the title of Apple Capital of Canada. But north Durham is also thriving when it comes to producing some of the most flavourful apples and apple products.
This video series highlights apple production in Durham Region and the five steps in production: harvesting, sorting and packing, distribution, retail and bakery. Let’s get started on the Durham Region apple’s journey from farm to plate. Follow along for a behind the scenes look, and to see the apple in action.
Video One: Apple Picking
The orchard is where it all begins. Apples grow on the rows of apple trees at Wilmot Orchards. It’s the most beautiful sight! The blossoms in the spring turn into the delicious fruit we love in the late summer and fall. This time of year, means apple harvest season! The apples are all hand picked from the orchard, with great care given to the apple and the tree. The apples then travel from the orchard to the next stop… Storage and packing!
Video Two: Apple Sorting and Packing
The apple has left the farm and traveled a short distance to Algoma Orchards. Algoma Orchards has an apple storage and packing facility that supports many apple farmers in the surrounding area. Once the apple arrives here, the apple will enter storage. The apple storage bays are climate controlled to keep the apples fresh until they are ready to be packaged and shipped. Once the apples are ready to move out of storage, they are sorted based on their grade, size and other factors. Then they are cleaned and sent to their respective packaging line. They also make delicious apple cider at this facility! Once the apples are packaged, they are ready to travel to their next stop, distribution!
Video Three: Apple Distribution and Warehousing
So, at this point we know a lot of apples are produced in Durham Region, but how do they get to grocery stores across the province? This step of apple distribution and warehousing in the apple value chain involves a lot of logistics, organization and planning. The apples will leave Algoma Orchards in Newcastle and travel by truck to a food distribution centre, like Gordon Food Service in Ajax. The apples arrive at Gordon Food Service, are unloaded from the trucks, tagged with a product tracking label and placed in the refrigerated storage warehouse. The apple won’t stay there for long. Every week the apples are shipped to their next destination which could be grocery, restaurant, bakery and more. Once it is time for the apples to move to their next destination, they are picked out of storage and shipped by truck to the next stop.
Video Four: Apple Retail
You will all be very familiar with this step in the apple value chain—the grocery store! The apples have now traveled from the food distribution center in south Durham, to Fisher’s Your Independent Grocer in Beaverton. Once the apples arrive at the store they are placed in refrigerated storage until they are ready to be put on the shelves. Fisher’s Independent is known for going above and beyond with their apple displays in the fall. This is one of the many reasons they have won numerous local food awards. Don’t you love buying local apples from the grocery store!
The grocery store isn’t the only final destination. The last stop in the apple’s journey from farm to plate has many options, including bakeries!
Video Five: Apple Bakery
This is the tastiest stop in the apple value chain. We love apple bakeries! There are so many amazing bakeries in Durham Region using local apples. Join us as we visit Tyrone Mills in Clarington. Tyrone Mills has been making their famous apple cider donuts for over 30 years. In addition to apple cider donuts, you can find apple tarts and other tasty apple treats. This is where the apple value chain gets creative with the best apple treats for you to enjoy.
Did you know you are part of the apple value chain?! The path of the Durham Region apple ends with you enjoying the fresh apples, from the farm to your plate. We hope you enjoyed learning more about the path of Durham Region apples.
If you are not done with apples yet, we have more! Start your own Apple Adventure today!
Do you want to learn more about farming in Durham Region? Visit Durham Farm Connections and Durham Farm Fresh.
