Schools, businesses, families, and communities across Tennessee invited to celebrate local agriculture with a collective crunch.

TENNESSEE – On Thursday, October 8, 2026, Tennesseans from across the state will join together for Tennessee Apple Crunch Day, a fun and healthy celebration of local food, Tennessee farmers, and National Farm to School Month.

The Tennessee Apple Crunch encourages healthy eating, promotes farm-to-school purchasing, and supports Tennessee’s apple industry by inviting schools, early care and education sites, colleges, non-profits, businesses, hunger relief agencies, community organizations, and individuals to collectively crunch into a Tennessee-grown apple.

Participants are encouraged to enjoy a locally grown Tennessee apple on October 8, or any day throughout the month of October.

“Every crunch is a celebration of Tennessee farmers, healthy communities, and the connections that bring local food from farms to schools, childcare centers, businesses, and family tables,” said Tim Brady, farmer from Dixie Chile Ranch out of Kenton, TN.

Tennessee Apples: A Delicious Piece of State Agriculture

Apples, often called the “King of Fruits,” are grown commercially and in home orchards in all parts of Tennessee. The primary harvest period for Tennessee apples extends from about mid-August to mid or late October. Apples are grown throughout Tennessee, from the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee to family orchards across Middle and West Tennessee. Tennessee typically produces 9 million pounds of apples each year, making apples one of the state’s most recognized specialty crops. Apples are harvested from summer through late fall and can be enjoyed fresh, baked, dried, juiced, or incorporated into countless recipes.

Why Participate?

Tennessee Apple Crunch Day helps:

• Promote healthy eating habits among children and adults
• Support Tennessee apple growers and local agriculture
• Increase awareness of farm-to-school and farm-to-community initiatives
• Encourage local food purchasing
• Connect consumers with the farmers who grow their food
• Celebrate National Farm to School Month

Whether you are a student, teacher, parent, farmer, healthcare professional, business owner, or community member, everyone is encouraged to join the celebration.

Tennessee Apple Orchards

To find a Tennessee Apple Orchard near you, visit https://www.picktnproducts.org/find-products/fruits/apples.html 

Join the Crunch!

Everyone is welcome to participate in Tennessee Apple Crunch Day, whether as part of a classroom, cafeteria, workplace, community organization, or simply as an individual enjoying a locally grown apple.

Take a bite, celebrate Tennessee agriculture, and help spread the word by sharing photos and videos of your crunch on social media using: #TNAppleCrunch #Farm2Future

Together, we can support Tennessee farmers, strengthen local food systems, and celebrate the delicious apples grown right here in the Volunteer State.

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The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as a catalyst for a thriving and equitable local food system that is accessible to all in Tennessee. Apple Crunch Day is a collaborative effort led by the TN Department of Agriculture and Tennessee Department of Education, and promoted through the Tennessee Farm2Future Coalition. 

Download our media packet.

-Written by Samantha Smith Goyert, Co-Director, NWTNLFN.org/Team

Registration Now Open for the 2027 Northwest Tennessee Local Food Guide

Local farms, food producers, restaurants, markets and community organizations are invited to register for a free listing.

NORTHWEST TENNESSEE — The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network is now accepting registrations for the 2027 Northwest Tennessee Local Food Guide, a regional magazine highlighting the farms, vendors, locally owned businesses and organizations that strengthen Northwest Tennessee’s local food system.

The Local Food Guide helps residents discover where they can shop, eat and support local throughout the region. Eligible participants include farms, farmers markets, restaurants, cafés, food trucks, artisan food producers, beekeepers, fisheries, plant vendors, agritourism destinations, hunger-relief organizations and other local food-related businesses.

Basic listings in the guide are free and may include the business or farm name, owner information, county, a brief description of available products or services, website and social media links, business category, and information about accepted payment programs. Participants may also request information about paid advertising opportunities in the upcoming magazine.

Locally owned restaurants, and hunger relief organizations located in Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion and Weakley counties are encouraged to participate. 

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Guide supports the NWTN Local Food Network’s mission to serve as a catalyst for a thriving and equitable local food system that is accessible to all. By connecting consumers with local growers, makers and locally owned businesses, the guide encourages residents to keep more of their food dollars within the region while supporting the people behind Northwest Tennessee’s local food economy.

Local farms, vendors, businesses and organizations can register for the 2027 guide by completing the online form at:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/LFGRegistration2027

For additional information about the Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network, visit www.nwtnlfn.org.

About the Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network works to build connections among farmers, food producers, schools, businesses, organizations and communities. Through education, collaboration and regional initiatives, the organization strives to create a thriving and equitable local food system that is accessible to all.

Media Contact

Alesa Hefner
Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network
Marketing@nwtnlfn.org