Take a Bite Out of Record Apple Harvest

Local apple orchards are reporting record harvests, and Iowa Orchard owner Bryan Etchen says his Urbandale apple farm is no different.

Etchen gave up his job in country club management to help out with the family business, WOI-TV reports. The small orchard is located on Meredith Drive. The family has a larger orchard in Granger.

“I really, really love the apple business,” he said.

There’s plenty to love with this year’s record harvest after a hard freeze last year put apples in short supply.

"They (the apples) store all these carbohydrates for the following year, and boy they really came out like gangbusters this season," said Etchen.

Customers like Bryan's all-natural apples.

"They're homegrown here," said Debra Elliott, who visits every year from Florida.  "And you know they're taken care of, and as you see, the fruit is very good."

"It's really the health benefit of having a non–waxed apple," Etchen said.  "It's just really brought to proper development.  It has proper sugar levels and it's just a real tasty treat that's a healthy snack."

Etchen’s  stand in Urbandale is open seven days a week.  Fall hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.