Community Apple Orchard Ready For PickingWINONA LAKE – The Community Apple Orchard is ready for people to pick, starting Saturday and for two days only.
The orchard, at the corner of Pierceton and Packerton roads in Winona Lake, started with the Orchard Restoration Project in 2010.
The orchard has 14 different varieties of trees: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, Transparent, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Gala, Honey Crisp, Macintosh and Jonagold.
It will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Anything leftover after those two picking days will be offered for free from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 12, Michael Skipper said.
Skipper is part of the orchard’s board of trustees because the orchard is a 501c3 nonprofit. Last year, the group invested in a $700 cider press. Skinner said that they don’t plan to use the press this year, but he won’t rule it out. Fewer volunteers and dry conditions mean cider-making becomes more difficult.
In the future, anyone who would like to volunteer an hour of their time will get a free crate of apples, valued at $10.
Also, Skipper said, anyone who comes out for the two days of picking this year and wants to pick a crate to be donated to a food pantry, it will be free of charge. The orchard organizers will deliver the donation.
All apples are organic and the cost is 25 cents a pound.
For more information about the orchard, or how to get involved, visit www.communityappleorchard.net.
