Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Declares September as “Massachusetts Apple Month”

Northborough — Governor Maura Healey has declared September “Massachusetts Apple Month,” recognizing the state’s apple growers and their contributions to Massachusetts agriculture, the local food economy and communities across the state.

To celebrate the month and start of the fall apple-picking season, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle joined the Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association, state officials, agricultural leaders, and members of the Tougas family today at Tougas Family Farm in Northborough. The group toured their orchard and presented a Governor’s proclamation recognizing Massachusetts apple growers and the important role pick-your-own farms play in connecting residents with local agriculture. 

“Pick-your-own apple orchards connect families directly to our farmers against the beautiful backdrop of a Massachusetts autumn,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “As crisp air and vibrant foliage arrive, Massachusetts Apple Month celebrates our growers and their exceptional fruit. These farms preserve our working landscapes while educating the next generation about agriculture and how food is grown.”

“Massachusetts Apple Month celebrates a season that brings people together,” said Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. “Whether returning to a local favorite or following the Applechusetts Trail to discover a new experience, it’s a chance to pick apples, enjoy cider and sweet treats, and get into the spirit of fall in communities across Massachusetts.”

“Apple season is one of the most anticipated times of the year in Massachusetts,” said Andre Tougas of Tougas Family Farm. “It brings families into the orchards, supports hundreds of local farms and agricultural businesses, and gives the public an opportunity to see firsthand the skill, technology and year-round work required to grow high-quality fruit in New England. We are honored to host Commissioner Randle and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this celebration.” 

Like many other apple farms in Massachusetts, Tougas Family Farm is a multi-generational family farm. Opened in 1981, the farm is part of the regional landscape and community, providing educational programs, pick-your-own fruit options, and a variety of family-oriented farm activities that connect the public with Massachusetts agriculture. The farm offers seasonal pick-your-own fruit, a farm store and bakery, farm-made ice cream, family activities, a barnyard, wagon rides and seasonal food and beverage service. 

According to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture, approximately 550 Massachusetts farms grow apples on 3,786 acres. USDA’s 2025 New England fruit report found that Massachusetts apple orchards averaged 202 42-pound bushels per harvested acre, with growers receiving an average of approximately $55 per bushel. Applying that average yield to the state’s reported apple acreage represents approximately 765,000 bushels—or more than 32 million pounds—of apples, with a potential farm-gate value of more than $42 million.

The economic impact of the apple industry extends well beyond the value of fresh fruit. Apple production supports seasonal jobs, farm stands and markets, cider mills, bakeries, transportation, tourism and other local businesses across Massachusetts. Massachusetts-grown apples are sold at orchards, farmers markets, farm stands and supermarkets and through wholesale markets. They are also used to make a wide variety of local products, including sweet and hard cider, cider donuts, pies, preserves, sauces and other baked goods.

Pick-your-own orchards are also an important way for residents to experience Massachusetts agriculture firsthand. Visitors can see how farms use high-density plantings, integrated pest management, irrigation, specialized equipment, crop monitoring and conservation practices to grow high-quality fruit while responding to weather, labor and market challenges.

For many children and families, visiting a pick-your-own orchard offers a meaningful connection to local agriculture, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable food sources. These experiences strengthen public understanding of agriculture while providing important direct-market income that helps family farms remain economically viable and keeps farmland in active production. To find your local apple orchard, use the MassGrown map at the following link.

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