Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards

Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards has been in operation since 1826, and currently is operated by the family’s sixth generation. They own and operate a 165-acre farm on the edge of the Adirondack Mountains and near the shores of Lake Champlain. The rich soils result in very high-quality fruit. The two main varieties of apples grown on Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards are Macintosh and Empire. They also grow Courland, Paula Red, Spartan, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, Fuji, Jonna Mac, Gala, Spenser, Jonna Gold, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Macoun and now, SweeTango®. This year, Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards has added raspberries and strawberries under high tunnels.

Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards predicts SweeTango® will have a large, positive impact on its business as well as the produce industry as a whole. Of all the apples they’ve grown, they see the greatest potential in SweeTango®.

In 2009, Gunnison Lakeshore Orchards sampled and sold SweeTango® at its retail store, and 90 percent of those who tried it purchased at least a bag – and many returned shortly to purchase more. They hope to have enough apples to meet the high demand better than last year.