It is the co-op’s vision to support and strengthen community connections with our local producers. Co+op Produce Manager, Becky, shares what’s local and in season in our produce aisles!
Apples
Check out our selection of local apples from South Baldwin Farms and Beisecker Farms!
Autumn crisp - My new favorite apple, next to the Honeycrisp. I can snack on this apple all day. The autumn crisp apple is a mix between golden delicious and Monroe. It is the most crisp apple I have ever had that has any golden delicious ancestry. It is often used for salads, as it tends to be slower to brown/oxidize after being cut.
Honeycrisp - Tried and true favorite apple of many smart people - this is an all-around great apple. The Honeycrisp apples from South Baldwin this year may be the best I have ever tasted. They're incredibly sweet and have a great, crisp texture.
Gala - Oh, Galas, what a timeless apple. Sweet, yet mild, crisp, yet soft. If you haven't tried the Royal Gala apples from Beisecker, you should do yourself a favor and get one to snack.
Jonathan - A great apple for eating fresh, freezing, or baking. They are nice and sweet, with a slight tang to them.
Jonagold - A cross between a Jonathan and a golden delicious. They are currently one of the largest local apples we carry, and have a sweet/tangy flavor with notes of honey. Not the most crisp apple, but the texture has a nice creamy delicious taste without being very mealy.
Rome - Not super sweet, they are my top choice for cooking apples. Whether you are baking, roasting, or frying - this is a choice apple.
PUMPKINS & MUMS!
Check out these beauties in the front of the store when you get a chance! We have some big beautiful mums from Red Bud Farm and Free State.
Winter Squash
Local butternut, spaghetti, acorn, and pie pumpkins from Irick Farm and Juniper Hill Farms.
Squash can be baked, steamed, mashed, roasted, sautéed or microwaved - need recipe inspiration?
The Merc Co+op’s commitment to providing local foods and products is not just a whim, it is written into the Ends that have guided our co-op for over 40 years. When you purchase local products from the co-op, you become part of these local social and economic networks that we work to create.