Where to Find Fresh Apples and Other Produce in Winter

When our farmer's markets close in the fall, we still have more great places to find fresh fruit and vegetables in the area of Rochester, Indiana, where I live.

such Farmer's Market that includes a lot of summer vendors has moved into the Fulton County Historical Society that is located at 37 E. 375 N. Rochester. This is just a little way from Rochester, and has several buildings and walking areas outside. Each year, they have a historical show of the 'Trail of Tears,' there in early fall with American Indians and everyone in the drama is dressed for the occasion. But now, it houses the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. They have apples, a variety of nuts, squash, apple cider and also some baked goods made from those fresh apples. The phone number at the museum is 574-223-4436.

I have not been out there for awhile, so I'm not certain what else they may have. I know one family who sell their produce in the down-town Farmer's Market in Rochester during the summer months and I know they move where there is shelter in the fall. There are many other farmers who bring their fresh vegetables and fruit also. All of those people sell their produce at the museum when autumn comes.

We also visited a farm where the owner advertised fresh apples in our local paper. The apple orchard was not very large, but he had some apples that were good for cooking and others that were best for eating fresh. We bought four different kinds including Johnagold, Johathan, Golden Delicious and an extra sweet one called Suncrisp. The Johnathan made a delicious pie with a few cranberries mixed in - apple/cranberry pie. I took it to a special dinner and everyone seemed to enjoy it. .

There is one smaller store in Rochester that always sells Indiana apples and it is noted on the bags they are Indiana grown. They also have the farm name on the bags of apples and other produce. Those apples are ripe when you take them home, unlike the apples you find in the larger grocery stores. Many of the apples in our one larger grocery store are not ripe and they taste sour and they are shipped in from far away.

Since I grew up on a farm in Indiana with lots of apples and other produce, I know how a ripe apple should taste and even the texture of the apple has a special feel when eaten.

There is another outdoor place in Rochester, Indiana, at 424 E Ninth Street, called 'The Bloomin' Corner' that opened this week. They do not sell produce, but they do sell Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Roping and greenery locally made and designed into beautiful Holiday décor. They also have grave blankets and other decorations. The phone number there is 574-223-5174.

Sources:
Personal knowledge and experience