Find the tastes of fall at Long Island farms

Billy Fitzpatrick

September is officially underway, which means soon enough the leaves will be changing colors, the mornings are going to feel a lot cooler, and apple and apple cider-flavored treats will begin popping up in your local supermarkets.

Caramel apples, apple cider donuts, apple pie – if it has apples in it, you can expect it to take over the food scene one way or another. However, that doesn’t mean you have to rely on the grocery stores to have your favorite item in stock. There are plenty of spots across Long Island that will allow you to either pick your own apples or are already selling the pre-made sweet treats – along with plenty of other delicious goods – ready to take home today.

Jericho Cider Mill – Located on Route 106 in Jericho, the popular location has been providing Long Island with apple-flavored goodies for 199 (!!) years. From common items like apple cider, apple pies and apple donuts to the more unique selections such as apple salsa and apple butter, the possibilities are endless at Jericho Cider Mill for your taste buds to enjoy. The location has consistent hours all seven days a week, opening at 9 a.m. daily and closing at 6 p.m. More information can be found online, as well as an online store, at www.jerichocider.com.

Richters Orchard – Put 1318 Pulaski Rd., Northport into your GPS and you’ll end up at the driveway to Richters Orchard – a farm that has been in business for over 100 years selling quality fruit and fresh pressed apple cider right in their barn. Richters Orchard just reopened last month, as it operates from August to May each year. Besides just fresh apple cider, it also has plenty of sweet apple treats for sale in its gift shop. Give Richters Orchard a call at 631-261-1980 to learn more about what’s in stock.

Lewin Farms – Located just a few miles west of the North Fork, Lewin Farms is ready for Long Islanders to enjoy its variety of crops that you can pick yourself. Enjoy the cooler weather and spend the day outside at the farm’s Calverton location selecting your own fruit and picking it right from where it grew. Lewin Farms also has a farm stand, offering a full line of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, as well as other local Long Island produce. Head to www.lewinfarm.com for more info.

Harbes Family Farm – Officially open as of Aug. 31, the Harbes Family Farm’s orchard is another spot in eastern Long Island where families can go and pick their own apples to take home. There are plenty of apples to choose from at Harbes, located at 5698 Sound Ave. in Riverhead, such as zestar, sansa, blondee, gale gala and honeycrisp apples and with so many more on the way, the decision won’t be an easy one. The 78-acre orchard will also be hosting its apple festival on Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15, in case you were having trouble choosing a day to take a trip out east. More information can be found online, just visit www.harbesfamilyfarm.com.

Woodside Orchards – Family-owned and operated since 1982, Woodside Orchards in both Jamesport and Aquebogue will be opening its U-Pick apple picking in mid-September and will continue through Columbus Day weekend next month. Depending on what’s ripe and the weekend, a variety of different apples can be had each week and can be hand-picked out in the fields. Woodside also has a cider tasting room at its Aquebogue location that offers flights, pints, take-home growlers and is pet friendly, so don’t leave man’s best friend behind at home. For more information on everything Woodside Orchards has to offer, visit www.woodsideorchards.com.

Kerber’s Farm – Founded in 1941, Kerber’s Farm began as a poultry farm in Huntington before adding a farm stand and pie shop to the destination. After being purchased in 2013, Kerber’s Farm now produces a line of packaged goods that are sold around the country through hundreds of stores, with plenty of items available to be bought at 309 West Pulaski Road. With items ranging from apple jams and apple pies that can be delivered to your front door to a variety of fruit preserves and a buttermilk pancake gift set, there’s plenty to choose from at Kerber’s Farm. To check out what’s in stock or to place an order online, just head to www.kerbersfarm.com.

Youngs Farm – Located in Old Brookville, Youngs Farm has a wide variety of fresh produce ready for you to pick up immediately – both grown on-site and brought in from other locations across Long Island. Besides just fruits and vegetables, Youngs Farm offers fresh baked pies for that late-night snack you were searching for. From the classics like apple pie and apple crisp to blueberry and dark cherry pies, you can’t go wrong with any choice you make for a tasty dessert. More information, including a complete list of produce and pies currently being offered at Youngs Farm, can be found at www.youngs.farm.

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