Fall Has Arrived at Stew Leonard’s! Local Apples, Patch-Perfect Pumpkins, and Vibrant Mums Hit the Shelves

 

NORWALK, Conn. – August 11, 2026 – Sweater weather is officially on the horizon, and Stew Leonard’s is ready to kick off autumn in the sweetest, crunchiest, and most colorful way possible! Starting mid-September, fresh harvests of local apples, giant pumpkins, and brilliant mums are arriving straight from regional farms from across New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, transforming the world-famous farm fresh food retailer into the ultimate fall destination.

 

“When the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like walking into Stew’s and taking in the sights and smells of the harvest,” says Charles Yeh, Produce Director, Stew Leonard’s. “From snappy local Honeycrisps to patch-picked pumpkins, we’re bringing the very best of local farms straight to our customers' tables.”

 

Here is what’s in store for autumn enthusiasts across all Stew Leonard’s locations this season:

 

Take a Big Bite: Over 500,000 Pounds of Fresh Local Apples!

Stew’s shoppers are expected to crunch their way through more than half a million pounds of apples between September and November! Sourced straight from local orchards, here is the official lineup of when customer favorites hit the bins:

 

Early September:

  • Zestar: Sweet, juicy, and exceptionally crisp—an early-season crowd-pleaser.

 

  • McIntosh: Highly aromatic, sweet, and classic for snack time.

 

Mid-September:

  • Gala: A snappy, striped favorite that adds a sweet crunch to salads.
  • Honeycrisp: Stew’s #1 top-selling apple! Unbeatably sweet and delightfully crisp.

 

Late September:

  • Macoun: Snow-white flesh with a bold, sweet-tart flavor profile.

 

Need dinner inspiration? Pair those crisp McIntosh or Gala apples with center-cut pork chops, brown sugar, and toasted pecans for a quick 15-minute Apple-Pecan Pork Chop weeknight dinner!

 

Pick Your Patch: Half a Million Pumpkins Heading to the Garden Center

Whether you're baking a pie, decorating the porch, or prepping a spooky masterpiece, Stew Leonard’s Garden Centers are stocking more than 500,000 pumpkins from local growers like Geremia Greenhouse, Dzen Farms, and Hapco Farms.

 

More than half of this year's lineup features specialized "gourmet" varieties designed for cooking and high-style decor:

 

  • Jack-O’-Lantern Legends: The classic bright-orange Magic Lantern for traditional carving.

 

  • Culinary Stars: Small, sweet Sugar Pumpkins (perfect for carving into soup bowls!) and smooth-skinned Long Island Cheese heirlooms for scratch-made pies.

 

  • Chic & Spooky Decor: Pure white Ghost Pumpkins, bumpy reddish Red Warty pumpkins, deep-fluted Fairytale and Cinderella varieties, and massive 30lb Hubbard Squash.

 

Fall Comfort in a Bowl: Check out Stew’s recipe for Harvest Pumpkin Chili, combining ground turkey, sweet potato, red kidney beans, and rich pumpkin puree for a cozy 30-minute family meal.

 

Bursting with Color: Fresh Mums from Local Growers

Add a pop of autumnal curb appeal with fresh, hardy mums sourced directly from regional growers including DeFrancesco Farms, Geremia Farms, and Plainview Growers.

 

Pro-Tips from Stew's Garden Experts:

 

  • Color Spotting: Can’t tell what color a tight bud will be? Pick a plant with at least one fully opened bloom to confirm its true hue!

 

  • Planting & Care: Plant immediately in well-draining soil and water daily (potted mums dry out faster in autumn winds!).

 

  • Frost Ready: Mums can handle a light frost—just trim away any burnt outer blooms to let the next flush of flowers shine through.

 

Around the Store: Cider Donuts, Pumpkin Yogurt & Fresh Baked Treats

The harvest celebration extends well beyond the produce bins and garden center:

 

  • Bethy’s Bakery: Apple cider donuts, Dutch apple pies, apple crumb cake, apple fritters, and fresh-baked pumpkin muffins, bagels, and loaves.

 

  • Dairy & Beverage: Fresh-pressed apple cider, seasonal pumpkin-spiced coffees, pumpkin cream cheese, and pumpkin frozen yogurt.

 

(Note: Product selection may vary slightly by store location.)

 

About Stew Leonard’s

Stew Leonard’s, a family-owned and operated fresh food store founded in 1969, operates eight stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn.; East Meadow, Farmingdale, and Yonkers, N.Y.; and Clifton and Paramus, N.J. Having earned the nickname "The Disneyland of Dairy Stores" by The New York Times, Stew’s is famous for its country-fair atmosphere, animatronic entertainment, and legendary commitment to customer service ("Rule #1: The Customer is Always Right!"). For more information, visit www.stewleonards.com.