Fall in Kentucky means one thing, time for apple picking, hay rides, corn mazes and more at many of our local orchards.  That fall fun was overshadowed this year by as much as an 11% increase in the cost of food that families are buying at the grocery, at restaurants, and even at our local orchards.  In order to help participants learn how to save money on fall treats, a class “Fall Fun with Apples” was taught.  Stressed in this program was the importance of buying foods in season to cut down on the overall cost as well as buying in bulk when available from local farmers or orchards and preserving apples in a variety of ways for future use.

Community members who participated in the class were able to get hands on experience learning how to make homemade caramel apples as well as how to make apple butter.  They also learned about canning and packaging their apple treats so they could be given as gifts in the upcoming holiday season.   Because of limited space in the Lyon County Extension Office, only 12 participants were able to take part in the class.  In a 2-month follow-up with participants, one attendee reported that she and her husband made the apple butter at home and canned it using the water bath canning method.   She was eager to share how they were able to save money on gift giving after learning this new skill and how the recipients of her gifts were excited to have something homemade rather than bought from a store.

After attendees in the class shared what they learned with others in the community, there were calls and e-mails asking for a repeat of the class and a version on Zoom to accommodate those who couldn’t make it to an in-person class.  Because of the support for this type of programming, other food related classes will be offered each season to highlight produce when it is at its freshest and available at the best prices.