Every year on 21st October, people across the country, across the world even, come together to celebrate Apple Day. It’s a chance to shine a light on the humble apple, with all its culture, history and that good ol’ community spirit that comes alongside it – think Halloween, the smell of homemade apple pie, and, of course, cider!
Sure, cider does get a lot of attention (too right, it should!), but Apple Day is about more than just raising a glass. It’s about things like orchards, which are the spaces that help grow tradition and create local character.
Here’s a fun fact: there are more than 30,000 apple varieties across the world, with around 2,500 in the UK alone, from the classic Cox to the wonderfully named Bloody Ploughman. Each one has its own story (I mean, what doesn’t these days?), shaped by the places and people that grew them.
Apple Day started back in 1990 thanks to arts and environment charity Common Ground, who wanted to highlight how orchards are more than food sources; they’re both community hubs and beautiful cultural landmarks, which are so important right now.
HOWEVER! Due to the naff’ weather we keep experiencing here in Blighty, alongside the Alchemic Kitchen and National Trust, we’re supporting an event that takes place on Saturday 27th September.
Taking place at Speke Hall, it’s a celebration that perfectly captures what Apple Day is all about, which is making the most of what’s on our doorstep and connecting our local communities, all whilst making sure that none of the orchard’s harvest goes to waste.
We created a visual that gives that vibe of cosy homeliness, whilst telling the audience what it is they’re looking at in a simple way.
These visuals have been adapted to be placed on apple focused recipes that will be handed out at the event, within tote bags which also have the hand drawn fruit that give the countryside vibe!
What we love about this is that it’s not just about celebrating the fruit itself, the event reminds us how food can be a catalyst for change and conversation. That’s Apple Day in a nutshell, or rather, in a core.
It’s proof that something as mundane and small as an apple can spark big conversations around sustainability and heritage.
And while we might think ‘What? it’s just an apple!” There’s definitely something special about how they bring people around a table (and getting wet whilst bobbing for them), into an orchard, or simply into conversation. That’s what Apple Day is really about, celebrating the small things that we sometimes forget to think about how big of an impact they actually have!