The long Labor Day vacation marks the start of the U-pick season for Producteurs de pommes du Québec. In the coming weeks, consumers will have the chance to continue the family tradition by discovering new orchards and varieties. While apple trees are currently bursting at the seams with Paulared, Sunrise, Lobo and Gingergold, more familiar varieties such as McIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisp, Spartan, Cortland and Empire will take center stage over the coming weeks.
One place, a thousand and one resources!
Whether for processing or simply for eating, each of the 11 main apple varieties grown in Quebec has its own unique characteristics. For more information on Quebec apple varieties and their attributes, or to find a U-pick orchard nearby, visitors can visit www.lapommeduquebec.ca. Nearly a hundred Québec orchards are ready to welcome pick-your-own apple growers every year!
Also presented on the website, the downloadable poster Les 10 consignes du cueilleur responsable playfully invites visitors to pay particular attention to certain details during their next outing to the orchard.
"Planning a trip to the orchard requires little preparation, and these few simple instructions will ensure everyone's safety and respect for host orchard facilities," adds Éric Rochon, President of Producteurs de pommes du Québec.
Bite into our quality!
For those who haven't had time to visit a grower, fresh Quebec apples will be available in large quantities in grocery stores from September 28. They'll be able to spot the Pommes Qualité Québec logo stickers on individual apples and bags.
Pommes Qualité Québec, a guarantee of quality and freshness
Available year-round in grocery stores, Pommes Qualité Québec apples undergo rigorous quality control.
Between September and June of each year, inspectors make unannounced visits to all apple packing stations in Quebec. During these visits, inspectors check the quality of apples ready for shipment to stores. All packaged apples are likely to be sampled and checked!