By Cory Sekine-Pettite
By the time you read this, the apple orchards in North Georgia will have opened to the public. Making the short drive to Ellijay to pick apples is a family tradition for many in our state, including me. For years, my wife and I have enjoyed the annual trek and we’ve often introduced the tradition to friends. Typically, we wait until later in the season to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and changing leaves. But no matter when you go, it’s always a good time, and the families that run these orchards know how to show visitors a good time.
We’re fortunate to have this opportunity. To buy directly from an orchard or farm. To see where our food comes from. To teach our kids that it doesn’t just come from a store; it comes from the labor of others. Being a part of it — even for a day — is a privilege. The orchards likely will close for the season at the end of October, so I encourage you to plan a visit soon. You won’t be disappointed.
Speaking of Georgia-grown produce, my family also are frequent visitors to local farmers’ markets, especially the Saturday market on Marietta Square. Over the years, we have enjoyed getting to know the farmers who work incredibly hard to feed us, and we’ve even been able to help a few sell their wares to local restaurant owners. In a small way, helping to bridge those connections makes us feel like we are a part of the process of feeding the population and sometimes introducing folks to new crops they may never have come across otherwise. For example, getting farmers access to a leafy green called mizuna or to shishito peppers, and then getting a few restaurants to add these ingredients to their menus.
Honestly, it doesn’t take much effort — it is, in fact, fun — to learn more about local agriculture and to become a part of the process yourself. Knowing where your food comes from and eating seasonally can make you a better-informed consumer and a healthier individual. You can start simply by picking apples this fall.
