As we head into the middle of August, my tastebuds are awaiting the arrival of this year's SweeTango crop. As I have the last couple years I will be keeping track of where to purchase this out of this world apple. If you haven't been introduced to SweeTango yet, what you need to know is that it is a cross between a Honeycrisp and Zestar apple that is crisp with a spicy taste. It is one of my favorite apples.
About the Growers/Suppliers
Farms that belong to the Next Big Thing Growers’ Co-op will have them available at their farm market, stands, and farmer's markets. The grocery stores will be supplied by 3 main sources. Stemilt supplies them to stores that are west of the Rocky Mountains. Pepin Heights supplies them to the Midwest. Fowler Farms serves the East Coast. There is also a source that ships in Canada.
The 2012 Crop
Before when get into where they will/are available, I want to talk about the crop this year. Here in Michigan we unfortunately experienced one of the worst crop failures in decades due to hot March temperature followed by several freezes in April. Fortunately other parts of the country did better. Wood Orchard out of Wisconsin said their crop looks to be about the same of last year. The cool lake winds worked in their favor during the warm March. Stemilt, that supplier to the West Coast, did say they suffered some hail damage this summer, but are expecting to harvest/pack 65,000 (40 lb) cartons this year. They expect to begin their harvest the week of August 20th.
** UPDATE 9/10/12 ** SweeTango apples are beginning to be shipped across the country. I have two lists. First is a state by state list and the second is just a list of chain stores that will carry the apple. Remember not all stores will get the same amount or get their shipments at the same time, so it's best to call ahead if you are planning an extra trip. I have also included farms in the state by state list.
Lists of Locations for SweeTango by State
Stay tuned for more locations as the season begins. If you are seeking for them in a certain area, please leave a comment below and I will try to find out where you can find them.
Michigan
1. Bakker’s Acres (2677 Setterbo Road Suttons Bay, MI 49682 – Phone: 231-271-3673) has them available NOW! (Updated: 8/30/12)
2. Rennhack Orchards Market (3731 W Polk Rd, Hart, MI, 49420 - Phone: 231-873-7523) is expected to begin harvesting SweeTango August 24th.
3. Meijer stores (I will list confirmed stores)
4. Nino Salvaggio (St. Clair Shores, Troy, Clinton Township)
5. Papa Joe’s (Rochester, Birmingham)
6. Hiller’s (Ann Arbor, Berkley, Commerce Township, Northville, Plymouth, Union Lake, West Bloomfield)
7. Westborn Market (Dearborn, Berkley, Livonia)
8. Whole Foods Market (I will list confirmed stores)
9. Husteds Market (Kalamazoo)
10. Plum Market (Ann Arbor) has Michigan grown ones for $3.99/lb
11. Busch's (spotted some in Saline for $2.29/lb same price as the honeycrisp)
Minnesota
1. Center Creek Orchard (Located 8 miles south east of Fairmont MN) will have them when they open Labor Day. Their phone number is (507) 773-4547.
2. Pepin Heights Retail Store in Lake City, Minnesota will have them after August 29th. Click here for their website.
3. Pine Tree Apple Orchard (450 Apple Orchard Road, White Bear Lake, MN) says their crop looks good but they don't have a date firmed up yet. For more information, call 651-429-7202.
4. Coborn's stores
5. Festival Food stores
6. Kowalski's Markets (locations: Eagan Market, Eden Prairie Market, Grand Avenue Market, Lyndale Avenue Market, Oak Park Heights Market, Parkview Market, Uptown Market, White Bear Lake Market, Woodbury Market)
7. Lunds & Byerly's
8. Rainbow Foods
New York
1. Whittier Fruit Farm (219 Whittier Rd., Rochester, NY) is harvesting them now (Updated 9/6/12)
2. Fairway Market (locations in Queens, NY, Harlem/Manhattan, NY, Pelham Manor, NY, Plainview, NY, Red Hook/Brooklyn, NY, Upper East Side Manhattan, Upper West Side Manhattan, Westbury, NY)
3. Whole Foods (confirmed in Manhattan)
Connecticut
1. Fairway Market in Stamford
2. Whole Foods Market (confirmed in West Hartford)
3. Fresh Market (confirmed in Avon)
New Jersey
1. Fairway Market in Paramus
2. The Fresh Market (confirmed in Montvale)
California
1. Bristol Farms in Pasadena
2. Mollie Stones (locations in Burlingame, Greenbrae, Palo Alto, San Bruno, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Sausalito)
3. Nugget Market
4. Vons (confirmed in Yorba Linda)
Wisconsin
1. Wood Orchard Market (Door County, 8112 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI - Phone: 920-868-2334) has them available now at their market and September 4th at their apple store (Updated 8/30/12)
2. Brennans Market (locations in Brookfield, Oconomowoc, Madison, and Monroe)
3. Festival Food stores
4. Sendik's Food Markets (locations Elm Grove, Franklin, Germantown, Grafton, Greenfield, Mequon, New Berlin, Wauwatosa, West Bend, Whitefish Bay)
Louisiana
Whole Foods Market (confirmed in New Orleans)
Texas
1. Central Market (locations in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano, San Antonio, Southlake)
2. H-E-B stores
Indiana
1. Marsh stores
2. Whole Foods (confirmed in Indianapolis)
3. Walmart (confirmed in Bedford)
Ohio
Marsh stores
Mississippi
Walmart (confirmed in Laurel)
North Carolina
Whole Foods (confirmed in Raliegh)
Georgia
Kroger (confirmed in Augusta)
Publix (select stores)
Washington
Amazon Fresh (Seattle)
Utah
Harmons
Oregon
New Seasons Market
Chain Store Listing
Albertson's
Ahold
Dierbergs
Dillions
Dominick’s
Fred Meyer
Fry's
King Scooper
Kroger
Walmart
Publix
Wegman's
Trader Joe's (Eastern states only)
The Fresh Market
Harris Teeter
Wegmans
Hy-Vee
Jewel-Osco
QFC
Ralph's
Safeway (Northwest, Northern California, Phoenix areas)
Roundy's Supermarkets
Sam's Club (West)
Smith's
SuperTarget
Schnucks
SuperOne Foods
Vons – Pavilions
Win-Co Foods
Related Posts
What is a SweeTango Apple Like?
Honeycrisp vs. SweeTango : Which is Better?
Baked SweeTango Apple Cobbler
SweeTango on NPR
Can You Buy a SweeTango tree?
Here are some apple related kitchen tools I recommend:
Amco Dial-A-Slice Adjustable Apple Corer and Slicer
: Allows you to slice apples into either 8 or 16 pieces
Zyliss Soft Skin Peeler
: The best peeler I have ever owned. Does a great job peeling an apple.
Mirro Foley 2-Quart Stainless Steel Food Mill
: A great tool for making your own applesauce. You can make the sauce without having to do any peeling.
Would like to take some SweeTangos home to Florida. We are leaving the Fenton area on Sept. 9 and would like to find some before we go. Any help is appreciated. Will any stores near here be selling them? Thanks, Vicki
With the bad apple crop in Michigan this year, I don't know if any stores will have them and if they do I don't think it will be by the 9th. They only two Michigan sources I know are both on the northwest part of the state, so it would be quite a drive for you. You might be able to get them when you return to Florida. My friend who lives in Winter Haven got them at his Walmart last year. Sweetbay stores in the Tampa area also had them last year. But I haven't got anything official on what stores will definitely have them this year.
I live in Fenton/ Brighton area in Michigan and want to buy Sweet Tango apples. I bought them in Boyne City in early september but have not been able to make a return trip to Boyne City. I have called Walmart stores, Meijers Store, Whole Foods in West Bloomfield and no one seems to have them to sell. Can you help me find a store?
I haven't found them in any Michigan stores yet. They will be eventually, just have to be patience (I know it's hard to be when it comes to SweeTango). Meijer is suppose to be carrying them this year eventually, when I see any I will let yu know.
Any locations in Iowa for 2012?
I know Hy-Vee stores will have them at some point. Not all places get them at the same time.
Can I order these apples on line? Found a few at WalMart this year but would love to have more of them.
You can buy them at http://bountifulfruit.com
However it appears they are sold out for the season and it says on their site "out of season".
Kroger's in Laurel MS has also been carrying these apples. Problem is Kroger's nor Walmart can't keep them in stock. They are better than any apple we have ever eaten.
Glad that you have enjoyed them!