Families don’t have to venture far for fun and healthful activities this fall. They can trek through one of the many orchards in the Finger Lakes region, picking bushels of nutrient-rich apples.

Apple picking, after all, isn’t just an active outing with lots of walking and hauling, but it may also foster a child’s love of the sweet, tart or crisp and very healthful apple.

“This is such a wonderful family bonding experience that is also exercise and healthful eating in disguise,” said Patricia Palmisano, an Excellus BlueCross BlueShield registered dietitian and health promotion supervisor.

Why are apples so good for you?

Apples are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol, low in calories and full of fiber. The skin of the apple is also stocked with disease-fighting antioxidants. Children can receive the health benefits of apples in a variety of ways. They can just eat the apple, pair it with peanut butter or with similarly healthful foods such as oats and nuts in an apple crisp.

A list of more than a dozen apple picking opportunities in the Finger Lakes region can be found at the KidsOutAndAbout.com apple picking page.

Here are several local apple picking opportunities listed at KidsOutAndAbout.com:

• The Wayne County Department of Tourism is sponsoring an “Apple Tasting Tour” Oct. 8-11, 2010 where participants can visit orchards, farm markets and wineries and sample some of the harvest.
  
  
• Cortland and McIntosh apples are now ready to be picked at Lagoner Farms in Williamson, Wayne County.
  
  
• So far, five varieties of apples, including Paula Red and Cortland, are ready to be picked at The Apple Farm in Victor, Ontario County.
  
  
• McIntosh and Gala are some of the apples that are ready to be picked at Hurd Orchards in Holley, Orleans County.

“While an apple a day may keep the doctor away, it may also keep the family having fun together on a Saturday afternoon,” Palmisano said.

Recipes

For apple-related recipes, visit the following Web sites:

New York Apple Country

New Fruits & Veggies More Matters