Note: Prices in effect from September 25-October 1, 2024 at all four Oliver’s Market Locations in Sonoma County. All local produce is 25% off!

Apples are so easy to enjoy in myriad ways, and they are good for you, too! (An apple a day…) They work well in both sweet and savory dishes, juiced (with or without fermentation!), or just eaten out of hand.

The Apple of Your Eye

We have all kinds of cool varieties to share, and there is truly an apple for everyone in this collection! Check out the list, all organic and grown locally here in Sonoma County, and see which apple(s) catch your eye! (Note: Due to supply limitations, not every variety may be at every location.)

All of the featured local, organically grown apples are grown by local farms and brought to us via F.E.E.D. Cooperative.

Local Organic Fuji Apples, Grown by Gold Ridge Farms in Sebastopol, CA via F.E.E.D. Cooperative, sold in paper totes

Tangy and sweet, with a firm crisp texture and a complex flavor. These apples are best fresh, but they hold their texture well when cooked. Slice for apple pies, cobblers, muffins,
tarts or fritters.

Local Organic Honeycrisp Apples, Grown by Gold Ridge Organic in Sebastopol, CA via F.E.E.D. Cooperative, sold in paper totes

Honeycrisp is a medium-to-large sized apple, with a light green/yellow background largely covered with red-orange flush with strong hint of pink if grown in good sunlight. The skin may be flecked with occasional russet dots. They are great in salads, sauces and pies.

Local Organic Heirloom Blend Apples, Grown by Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol, CA via F.E.E.D. Cooperative, sold in paper totes

At Gold Ridge Organic Farms, they grow over 70 varieties of heirloom apples in their certified organic orchards in the rolling hills of Sebastopol. The varieties included in their Heirloom Blend change throughout the season, highlighting the peak flavors fresh off the tree. They may include heirloom varieties such as Cox’s Orange Pippin, Gala, Jonathan, Lamb Abbey Pearmain, Pink Pearl, Pink Sparkle, Nonsuch, Elstar, or Ribston Pippin.

Local Organic Jonagold Apples, Grown by Bella Ridge Farm in Occidental, CA via F.E.E.D. Cooperative

Jonagold apples are a medium to large varietal with a round, oblate, to conical shape. One of the distinct characteristics of the variety is its coloring. Depending on the climate, Jonagold apples can be yellow-green, yellow, or a blend of orange and red. Underneath the surface, the ivory-to-white flesh is crisp, aqueous, and dense with a crunchy, breaking quality. Jonagold apples have a subtly sweet scent and a balanced blend of sugar and acidity, creating a mild, sweet, and tangy taste with floral, honeyed, and fruity nuances.

Local Organic Jonathan Apples, Grown by Devoto Gardens in Sebastopol, CA via F.E.E.D. Cooperative

The Jonathan apple is a medium size apple, that has a thin red skin, with a sweet taste that can often have a tart tang to it. The Jonathan apple is a wonderful apple for fresh eating but also makes for a great freezing as well as cooking apple.

Local Organic Royal Gala Apples, Grown by Devoto Gardens in Sebastopol, CA via F.E.E.D. Cooperative

The Royal Gala apple is a sport (mutation) of the Gala apple that was selected for its darker red skin color. Like all strains of Gala, the skin is slightly striped. Gala originated in New Zealand in the early 20th century from a cross of ‘Golden Delicious’ x ‘Kidd’s Orange’ developed by J.H. Kidd. These apples are mildly sweet with a crisp texture and are a good overall apple for cooking, baking, and eating raw.

Maximum Apple Enjoyment

Grab a couple of each type and have an apple tasting with friends. Add a variety of cheeses (and some wines) to take it all up a notch (or two)!

There are of course many classic apple pie, apple cake, and applesauce recipes, but our team rounded up some other interesting recipes to try. For starters, how about Apple and Butternut Squash Soup, a riff on traditional Butternut Squash soup? If you want a heartier soup, give this Brie Cheddar Apple Beer Soup a try. For entrees, we have Apple Stuffed Pork Tenderloin on the traditional side, and if you’re feeling more adventurous, try this Mac N Cheese with Prosciutto and Apples. Check out our Recipes page for Roasted Beet and Apple Salad, Cinnamon Apples, Applesauce Bread, Apple Juice Cake, and Apple Juice Chicken, too!

This is the week to celebrate the harvest of local, Sonoma County organic apples at Oliver’s. We are thrilled to work with talented local farmers via F.E.E.D. Cooperative to honor these historic apple varieties and share them with our customers. They are truly awesome to the core!