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2009 Southeastern Apple Growers Meeting ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION AND PRE-REGISTRATION Click here for more information
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Apples are by far America's favorite fruit. Apples contain modest amounts of nearly all the most important nutrients and because of their universal flavor appeal, versatility and convenience for use, nutritionists and dietitians rate them high on any list for eating right and staying fit. They are good for your teeth, stomach, your skin and complexion, your nerves, your smile and overall good health.

North Carolina typically ranks seventh in apple production in the United States. North Carolina has over 300 commercial apple operations comprised of 10,000 bearing acres of apple orchards. Eight million bushels of apples can be produced in a given year. Forty percent of the state's crop is marketed as fresh apples through packing/shipping operations and direct marketing outlets while the remaining 60% is utilized in the processing industry, mainly as apple sauce and juice.

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Apples are produced in five areas of the state and are identified as follows:

Haywood Area: Haywood, Jackson, and Macon counties. Henderson Area: Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Rutherford counties. Mt. Mitchell Area: Avery, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties. Northwest Area: Alexander, Ashe, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties. South Mountain Area: Burke, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln counties.

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Grower, Shipper, Packer information - NC Fresh Link Directory

Grown since ancient times, experts can only estimate the number of varieties that have existed (anywhere from 5,000 to 20,000). Early American colonists are responsible for developing quite a few different types of apples. The four major varieties which make up the bulk of North Carolina's production are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, and Stayman. Over 40 other varieties are grown on a limited basis. These include new cosmopolitan varieties such as Empire, Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Jonagold, and Mutzu. Antique varieties such as Arkansas Black, Grimes, Limber Twig, Virginia Beauty, and Wolf River are still available at road-side stands throughout the area.

Why Should You Select North Carolina Apples?

Quality:

The warm days and cool nights here in the mountains are perfect for growing firm, crisp juicy apples. Our apples have excellent color and a high sugar content for an exceptional crisp, sweet, and juicy flavor.

Proximity:

North Carolina apple production areas are within 24 freight hours of 65 percent of the United States population. North Carolina's apple crop has not been hit as hard by weather problems as the crop in other areas of the Eastern United States.

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NCDA&CS Markets Division, Tom Slade, Director
Mailing Address: 1020 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1020
Physical Address: 2 W. Edenton Street, Room 402, Raleigh NC 27601
Phone: (919) 733-7887; FAX: (919) 733-0999