As the size of urban environments across the United States continues to expand, so does concern about where food comes from, and its quality.

This signals a nationwide shift toward the consumption of cleaner, more organic food. States such as New York, which is the nation’s second-largest producer of apples, are sure to benefit.

The latest New York Apple report shows that area consumers are worrying more about the source of their food. Customers of grocery stores say they want local produce, and they want it pesticide free, according to the report.

Central New York, which surrounds and includes Syracuse, is a major contributor to the state’s apple production.

And between Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego and Tompkins Counties there are at least 25 U-pick apple orchards, with 10 of those in Onondaga, alone.

Keith Liebmann and his wife, Julie, run Deer Run Farms in LaFayette, just south of Syracuse.

Because of an uptick in interest over the past few years, the Liebmann’s have been able to grow Deer Run Farms and offer items such as Christmas trees in the winter, and space in a new wedding barn.

Keith said he noticed that people were interested in pesticide-free apples about three to four years ago.

“The apples aren’t for everybody. They aren’t beautiful. They have imperfections,” Keith said of his stock.

Apples like these are appealing to many people — they aren’t perfect specimens stored at major, national chain stores.

It’s obvious: smaller orchards around Syracuse are doing just fine, and business is booming for bigger establishments like Beak and Skiff, which was just named the second-best orchard in the country by USA Today.

Quality produce from local farms such as Deer Run Farms of Beak and Skiff could benefit area residents’ health, and in the long term may help support the state’s economy as people continue to search for more organic products.

Peter Morrissey is a entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises and information management and technology dual major. His column appears bi-weekly. He can be reached at pmorriss@syr.edu.

Published on October 14, 2018 at 7:27 pm