Comparing apples to apples A study of food pathwaysOnce a top apple-producing state, Iowa now provides only an estimated 15 percent of the 1.3 million bushels of fresh apples eaten by Iowans every year. More information about changes in Iowa's apple industry, and potential for local sales today, are available in a report at the Leopold Center's Web site [see publications page]. The report contrasts the pathways-from harvest to Iowa consumer-for Iowa and Washington-grown Red Delicious apples. It was written by Center education program coordinator Rich Pirog and intern John Tyndall. They found that while a typical Iowa-grown apple is sold within one day to two months of picking, apples grown in Washington are kept for as long as eight months or longer in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage before sale. Iowa apples are available mostly during the fall harvest . The Delicious variety was discovered as a chance seedling by Madison County farmer Jesse Hiatt. A peak 9.5 million bushels were grown in 1911, but the Iowa industry was devastated in 1940 by the infamous Armistice Day freeze that killed many apple trees. Today, Iowa ranks 31st among the 36 states that grow apples commercially. Washington state ranks first in U.S. apple production, growing more than half of the nation's fresh apples. The Leopold Center report uses apples as an example to explore the potential for local food systems to augment Iowa farm income. Market studies show a growing interest in local food systems, where local farmers sell their products to nearby consumers. Printed copies of the apple pathways report also are available from the Leopold Center.
How much of Iowa's bounty do Iowans eat? This table, researched by education coordinator Rich Pirog, provides yearly consumption estimates for a select group of commercially produced fresh fruits and vegetables, plus cheese and butter. The amount supplied by Iowa growers is unknown for most of these foods, although it is believed that these percentages are small. "We need to get a better handle on how much food Iowa producers and processors are putting on the table for Iowa consumers," adds Mike Bevins, state horticulturist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and chair of the Local Foods Task Force. "For example, there hasn't been a survey on horticultural crops since 1989, so for most items we are guessing as to how much of the produce Iowans consume is grown within the state."
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