Celebrate Local Food with the Great Apple Crunch

By Andi Anderson

October is National Farm to School Month, and Ohio communities are invited to join the Great Apple Crunch, a statewide event celebrating healthy eating and the state’s strong agricultural heritage.

This fun initiative connects families, students, and educators with local apple growers while highlighting the importance of Ohio’s food systems.

Participation is easy and meaningful. Simply gather a group—whether it’s a classroom, workplace, or community organization—take a big bite of a locally grown Ohio apple, and celebrate the connection between farms and the people they feed.

By crunching together, participants promote fresh food choices and show support for the hardworking apple producers across the state.

The event can be enjoyed on October 9 at noon or anytime throughout the month. Each bite serves as a reminder of the vital role local farms play in providing healthy foods and sustaining communities.

Ohio State University Extension encourages educators, schools, and community partners to lead activities and share the message of healthy eating and local sourcing.

Reasons to participate include:

• Promoting fresh, healthy food choices to students and families.
• Supporting Ohio apple producers, who supply nutritious fruit statewide.
• Educating about local food systems, helping communities understand where their food comes from.
• Celebrating farm-to-community connections that strengthen Ohio agriculture.

To join the celebration, register your group at go.osu.edu/applecrunch2025 to receive free Apple Crunch stickers and resources that make the event even more exciting.

Participants can also follow the Ohio Farm to School Instagram page for updates, photos, and stories of Apple Crunch events happening across the state. By sharing your crunch moments online, you help spread awareness of Ohio agriculture and inspire others to support local food.

Whether you are a student, teacher, or community member, the Great Apple Crunch offers a simple and tasty way to celebrate Ohio’s farms, promote healthy eating, and strengthen the bond between local agriculture and the people it nourishes.

Photo Credit: istock-rixipix