Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/14/2009 11:20 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 09/27/2010 11:22 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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An Apple a Day....by The PineTree Pedaler, Brett Loring
The saying, "An apple for the teacher" takes a twist; now "Two teachers for the Apple" is more apropos for The Red Apple Bakery and Fruit Stand. A welcome scene from days gone by on Highway 4, Lloyd and Christie Bunch and their children, hailing from Hughson, and extended family have been welcoming visitors old and new to the Darby brothers' Red Apple just north of Darby Russell Road. Lloyd Bunch, a former Agriculture teacher, can tell you everything about fruits and vegetables as well as the history of the Darby Ranch, still owned and operated by the Darby’s.....
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Christie, a fourth grade teacher impacted by recent budget cuts and teacher lay-offs in the Valley, comments that the timing was right for her and her family to come on board and help run The Red Apple. In keeping with the Darby tradition, the Bunches learned from Ken Darby, now in his eighties, how to use his baking equipment and stay true to the original Darby family recipes for pies, pastries, and produce.
Lloyd related to me that this week, he heard screeching of brakes and looked up to see a tow truck, car in tow, suddenly change its course as it turned into The Red Apple, the driver excitedly exclaiming that he hadn’t seen the Red Apple open in ages. Needless to say, he became a repeat customer. In fact, being a repeat customer myself, I recognized other repeat customers on my third stop. During my visit to the Red Apple this weekend, almost every carload out of the dozens that stopped, produced marveling comments like, “I can’t believe you’re open!” “We used to come here 20 years ago…!” “Will you be open on Sunday so we can stop here on our way back down the hill?” One customer, wiping cinnamon and sugar from her lips, commented to me that out of all the apple farms in our region, she had never had an apple doughnut as delicious as the freshly-baked one she just enjoyed at The Red Apple. For locals craving a nostalgic sip of natural cider, if we were lucky, we have been accustomed to seeing The Red Apple open sporadically, maybe on a Holiday weekend. Now, the produce and pastry stand will be open Thursdays through Sundays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The Bunch family hopes to keep that pattern up through Christmas, taking advance orders for pies, strudels, and pastries. The fruit product menu is endless with fresh, dried and frozen items offered; sugar-free recipes available; and custom orders welcome. You’ll find other regional products such as raw honey, a variety of nuts, and apple wood chips for grilling meat. I took home a basket of fresh, sweet strawberries to “counter balance” the half-dozen apple doughnuts I couldn’t resist!
The Darby Ranch was established in the 1890’s and its apple orchards were planted in the early 1900’s. Word has it that Darby apples were even featured in The World’s Fair early in the past century. Now, one 5 acre orchard and a 4 acre orchard remain on either side of Highway 4, whose fruit including Arkansas Black, York Imperial, and Gravenstein apples (available in the fall) is still being borne on 100-year old trees. Because of its prominent location on the highway, and regular hours, The Red Apple is an ideal stop for visitors to enjoy classic pies like blackberry, apricot, and of course Dutch apple. Visitors are welcome to spread out a picnic blanket on the strip of grass and enjoy their time at The Red Apple. One customer picks up a pie a week, asking the Bunches to surprise him with the flavor. In the fall, Lloyd says to watch for a fanciful and festive Harvest display with pumpkins and fall produce available.
The Red Apple is located on Highway 4 headed east, just after Darby Russell Road before the town of Hathaway Pines. In fact, being known as a significant Apple Ranch since the early 1900’s, you will find that Red Apple has its own “dot” on the map. When they’re open, you can’t miss the big Red Apple “Open” signs set out along the highway. Stop by for a flavorful bite of history, a sip of cider, and some friendly down-home conversation.
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