Fall is in the air in Dayton, Ohio. You can smell the crispness as the heat disappears, the fall breeze blows in, and the leaves change color. You'll see that fall is welcomed with celebration and creativity in our Produce departments as you will be lost in the beauty of one of our favorite fall treats—apples. We are biting in this October by celebrating some of the fall varieties of the fruit that have us feeling apple-y ever after.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “We are born believing. A man bears beliefs like a tree bears apples.” At DLM, we believe that there is no better way to welcome in fall than indulging in the most flavorful apples from the east to the west, and October is when it all begins. Where are some of the best apples stemming from? Let us take you on a journey.

Let’s head east to our friends at Fowler Farms in Wolcott, New York. From this farm, you are treated with the sweet and spicy SweeTango apple, son of the Honeycrisp. Let's not forget the SnapDragon and RubyFrost, which are ever so sweet and crunchy.

Last stop on the apple journey takes us out west to Wenatchee, Washington. In the apple capital of the United States we have two dear friends, CMI Orchards and Stemilt Growers. CMI brings us the sweet and snappy KIKU as well as the crunchy and tart Kanzi. Stemilt brings us the new-to-the-scene Rave apple as well as the Piñata, and the Cosmic Crisp apple.

With so many varieties out there in the growing apple industry, our goal is to source and provide apples with the best flavor. So although we are calling our celebration of the fruit this October the Apple Gala, we are applauding all of the best fall apple varieties, both near and far. Start with your favorite and then move on to something new that you've never tried before. Trust us, it'll be good, which is why we've created a Fall Must-Eat Apple List on the opposite page. From the most perfect baking apples to the best for making homemade applesauce, you'll want to try them all. And don't worry, we also included the best for eating, too.

Your Fall Apple Must-Eat List!

SNAPDRAGON

Sweet apple with a monster crunch and a subtle spicy flavor. This apple comes from the Honeycrisp family and is perfect for eating whole.

SWEETANGO

This is a fall apple favorite, known for its outstanding flavor with a unique zest (one of its parents is the Zestar, after all). Great for eating, making pies or muffins, and slicing up in a Waldorf salad.

FUJI

One of the sweetest apples, we love this apple for baking into applesauce or eating whole.

JAZZ

This apple variety will have your taste buds dancing with delight! Sweet, tart, and delightfully crunchy throughout, Jazz is excellent eaten whole or baked into crisps, cobblers, and more.

GRANNY SMITH

We love this apple because it's tart and crunchy. Great for making pie, eating whole, or caramel apples.

HONEYCRISP

The ever-popular Honeycrisp is the ideal munching apple due to its unique blend of sweet and tart with the perfect crunch.

KIKU

A direct descendant of the Fuji family, this exotic apple has become a fast favorite with its unbelievable crunch and sweet-tart taste. Great for pies and tarts.

GALA

This dessert apple is known for its exceptional texture, firmness, and honey-sweet flavor. Perfect for eating, making salsa or chutney, or throwing in a salad.

COSMIC CRISP

These apples are out of this world! This cross between Enterprise and the ever-popular Honeycrisp, this apple is delightfully crisp, super juicy, and perfectly sweet. Enjoy fresh, baked, or cooked!

COMING SOON! MELROSE

The official apple of Ohio, this is a sweet pick that's great for eating, pie-making, and for an apple cobbler.

COMING SOON! PIÑATA

This apple has a hint of spice to it, making it perfect for an apple pie. We also love it poached with its skin on.

COMING SOON! PINK LADY

Tart taste with a sweet finish and an ultra juicy interior, this apple combines the best of a Lady Williams apple with a Golden Delicious.