New York Apples Sales Partners With Scotian Gold Growers to Bring Fruit From Nova Scotia to the U.S.
GLENMONT, NY – New York Apples Sales (NYAS) has begun shipping latest-harvest apple varieties from Nova Scotia to customer in the U.S. and abroad through partnership with the Scotian Gold Cooperative.
“The Scotian Gold Cooperative maintains high standards, uses superior technology, and completely understands the importance of paying attention to every aspect of quality agriculture, from planting to harvest to storage,” noted Kaari Stannard, Owner of New York Apple Sales, in a press release.
NYAS is currently importing Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, and Sonya apples from in the Annapolis Valley near the Bay of Fundy.
“Warm days, cool nights, and the best agricultural soils in Atlantic Canada are three keys to why we produce such beautifully vibrant, well-colored apples,” said Waldo Walsh, President/Owner of Birchleigh Farms Ltd. “These factors also contribute to wonderfully firm, flavorful fruit that has a bright, intense flavor profile.”
The Scotian Gold Cooperative describes the three apple varieties currently being imported in the follow details:
- Honeycrisp is an apple “cross” made in 1960 at the University of Minnesota. Through genetic testing, it’s known that Fireside, another University of Minnesota apple, is one one parent. The other parent remains unconfirmed. It is exceptionally crispy and juicy. Flavor ranges from mild and well balanced to strongly aromatic, depending on the maturity.
- Ambrosia is sweet, crisp, juicy, and aromatic. Its flavor makes it an excellent apple for slicing.
- Sonya, probably less familiar to American consumers than Ambrosia or Honeycrisp, is cross between a Gala and Red Delicious, creating an apple that is exceptionally sweet with the flavor of raw sugar cane. Sonya apples are easy to handle and store with exceptional shelf-life.
“At our orchard, we’ve always said we’ll never settle,” said Lisa Jenereaux, a fifth generation farmer and Co-Owner of Spurr Brothers Farms. “And that we want to be constantly learning and always trying new things. The people at New York Apple Sales demonstrate the same vision and are also dedicated to total quality. I believe that’s why we work so well together.”
Nova Scotia has the latest apple-growing season in North America, with trees initially blooming in the later weeks of May, Honeycrisp harvest beginning in the last week of September, and Ambrosia and Sonya following suit.
“Honeycrisp are preconditioned by storing in controlled warmer conditions before they are placed in high-tech cold storage,” added Larry Lutz, Owner of Lutz Family Farm (and recently retired Director of Grower Services for Scotian Gold). “This helps prevent issues like soft scald and internal browning.”
Lutz added that the cool Nova Scotia climate means apples can be harvested slightly immature, but with full color. This also contributes to the fruits’ exceptional keeping properties and ongoing freshness.
Scotian Gold Growers have been providing apples to NYAS for three years.
