Photos: Eastern Produce Council invites families for NJ apple picking

Eastern Produce Council hosts its 8th annual Apple Picking Event Oct. 8, at Melick Farm in Oldwick, N.J., established in memory of Joe DeLorenzo, former EPC president and Hall of Fame member and director of produce at Krasdale-Alpha1Marketing.

Susan McAleavey Sarlund, executive director of Eastern Produce Council, stands on a picnic table to welcome the crowd and give directions.

Susan McAleavey Sarlund (from left), executive director of Eastern Produce Council and Northeast account manager of New York Apple Association; Marianne Santo, EPC president and category manager of Wakefern Food Corp.; Theresa Lowden, EPC first vice president and executive vice president of JOH Produce Mid Atlantic Inc.; and Al Murray, EPC board of directors and executive director of the New Jersey Agriculture Society.

Apple varieties included macoun, empire, red delicious, golden delicious, fuji, and more.

The event was established in memory of Joe DeLorenzo, former EPC president and Hall of Fame member and director of produce at Krasdale/Alpha1Marketing. Joe passed away in 2014.

The event was enjoyed by Jeniffer Yeh, first-timer Alina Yeh, 11 months, and Charles Yeh of Stew Leonards, a regional chain of supermarkets in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Many children, from infant to teenager, participated in the EPC event and picked apples.

Tracy Simmonds (back right) of Affinity Sales based in Depew, N.Y., brought her niece and nephew, Grace and Luke Simmonds, to the event.

Some apples were even within the reach of small children.

It was a perfect fall day for apple picking with family and industry colleagues.

People had varying levels of success at gathering apples and making sure they weren't eaten enroute.

The apples were crunchy and sweet.

People enjoyed corn on the cob, popcorn and hot dogs after they picked apples.