Fresh Jersey Mac apples, an early season McIntosh-type variety with a bright red blush over a pale green background, crisp white flesh, and a sweet-tart bite. The variety was bred at Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station in New Jersey, crossing NJ-24 with July Red, and released commercially in 1971 as an earlier-ripening alternative for McIntosh fans. Jersey Mac typically comes in ahead of true McIntosh, giving an early taste of fall apple season starting in August. The tender flesh cooks down quickly, so it's best used fresh, in applesauce, or in early-season pies with a bit of extra thickener to hold the filling together. Good for lunchboxes and out-of-hand eating as well, since the balance of sweet and tart holds up without added sugar. Unlike later-season keeper apples, Jersey Mac doesn't store for long, so it's best eaten within a couple weeks of purchase.
Holley, NY
Hurd Orchards is a family-owned fruit and flower farm and canning company located in the fertile lake plains of Western New York, nestled between the Erie Canal and the shores of Lake Ontario. For nearly two centuries, the Hurd family has cultivated this land, building a legacy rooted in stewardship, community, and a deep reverence for the natural world.
At the heart of Hurd Orchards is a love of fruit growing and a commitment to honoring the region’s agricultural heritage. The farm specializes in carefully tended, tree-ripened fruits grown on their own land, which are then preserved using time-honored methods and generations-old recipes. Each jar of jam or preserve reflects a philosophy of craftsmanship, seasonality, and extraordinary quality.
Beyond the orchard rows, Hurd Orchards is dedicated to preserving the beauty and productivity of its fields, forests, and meadows through sustainable practices and thoughtful land stewardship. Every aspect of the farm—from the fruits they grow to the landscapes they care for—embodies a vision of rural life that is rich in history, beauty, and purpose.