Leelanau County Harvest Report: Apples In Paradise

It’s that magical sweet spot between summer and fall, with the first tree-ripened Leelanau County apples coming on the scene (and there’s still time to eat them out-of-hand at the beach!). Here’s how to get your hands on some.

Family-run Bakkers Acres announced that juicy Sweetangos and premiere Honeycrisp will be ready on Saturday (Sept. 3) at the Traverse City and Suttons Bay farm markets. Their fruit stand is also ready to go on Setterbo Road in Suttons Bay.

In a dreamy blend of seasons, VerSnyder Orchards on South Lakeshore Drive in Lake Leelanau is stocked with luscious Allstar peaches, as well as Zestar apples. (Either one would be incredible in a holiday weekend German puff pancake.) Grower Kevin VerSnyder, who cultivates eight acres of apples on the original farmstead his great-grandfather started in the 1870s, also shares that premier Honeycrisp “are getting very close to first pick.” Check daily updates on his social media. 

Jim Bardenhagen of Bardenhagen Farms tells the Leelanau Ticker apples “are looking great this year, the quality is excellent.” They started Gingergold apple harvest on Monday, and they are ready at their Pertner Road farm stand in Suttons Bay. “I just delivered Gingergold apples today to the Leland Mercantile, Hansen's Tom's, Food Markets, Olesons, and Oryana West,” he adds.

Those apples will soon be gracing local restaurant menus and school cafeteria trays as well. Bardenhagen Farms ands Bakkers Acres are part of MI Farm Co-op, where Bardenhagen currently serves as president. The farmer-owned cooperative sells wholesale to several Leelanau County restaurants and many of the county’s school districts.

For a back-to-school treat, hit up Gallagher’s Farm Market’s red building on M-72 in Elmwood Township for local Zestars (with fingers crossed for a few more varieties this weekend); homemade pies; and warm, plump donuts. In the bakery case they currently have classic sour cream or blueberry — for a last nod to summer — with the coveted pumpkin donuts starting mid-month.

And doesn’t get more best-of-both-worlds than this: Pumpkin, apple, bacon soup is back at Paradise Cove Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy a bowl with a cold beverage and soak up tiki vibes on shimmering Lake Leelanau.

Also pretty rad: Two K Farms Cidery & Winery announced that its “most anticipated release of the year is nearly here” with the new Leelanau Radler available in the tasting room (or to be shipped) this Friday (Sept. 2). It's a blend of estate Riesling, Heritage apples, Meyer lemon, and elderflower.

Pictured: Gingergold apples from Bardenhagen Farms; Zestars at VerSnyder Orchards