For Release: October 7, 1999

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

PROVIDENCE - This year's local apple crop is one of the best in years, according to the Department of Environmental Management. Staff from DEM's Division of Agriculture, which publishes a free guide to Rhode Island apple orchards, including orchards where you can pick your own apples, have been visiting the orchards and note that the rains during and after Hurricane Floyd have been extremely beneficial to the apple crop.

Apple grower Alan Hill concurs. "Rhode Island apples are plentiful and delicious. The supply is better than last year," the Johnston grower said.

The abundance of the crop was apparent early in the summer. Although there was preliminary concern during the long stretch of dry weather that apples would be smaller due to lack of moisture, that concern has disappeared. Late season rain has helped the apples to reach good size, maturity, and taste.

Kenneth Ayars, Chief of DEM's Division of Agriculture said, "What the public will see when they visit an orchard to pick their own apples, or to buy ready-picked at orchard stands, are apples of the size and quality they have seen in years past. This is good news for the thousands of families who traditionally drive out to the country to go apple picking each fall."

The Division's Deputy Chief, Stephen Volpe, who heads DEM's agricultural marketing program agrees. " Some of the best apples you will ever taste are grown in Rhode Island, and this year is no exception. Their unique blend of sweet and tart flavors are a product of Rhode Island's long, hot summers and crisp fall days. Rhode Island apples are renowned for their outstanding flavor, size, and freshness."

DEM's apple brochure lists 21 orchards where the public can either pick their own apples or buy farm stand apples, and in some cases, pick up apple cider pressed on the premises. The brochure lists addresses, hours of operation, as well as telephone numbers, and includes nutritional information and apple facts. It is available by calling DEM's Division of Agriculture at 222-2781 ext. 1-4754, and is also on DEM's web site at www.dem.state.ri.us/org/agricstf.htm. Once at the site, navigate by clicking organization, listing of offices, agriculture, then, agricultural materials to bring up the brochure.