Apples, Fried Cakes and Fun

Schutt’s Apple Mill, now operated by the fourth generation, brings all the fall staples — and much more

By Mike Costanza

 

Daria Kompaniec came from her Irondequoit home at the end of July to buy some of Schutt’s Apple Mill’s apple cider flavored fried cakes.

“They have unique products, the people are…very nice, and it’s part of Rochester’s culture,” the 82-year-old said.

Each year, thousands of people from all over the area come to Schutt’s Apple Mill each day in the fall to buy its apples, apple juice, fried cakes and hard cider or peruse its shelves for gifts.

In addition to shopping, they could also take wagon rides through Webster farm’s grounds or enjoy the many other attractions it will offer. Their business is very important.

“The fall matters to us,” said Evan Schutt, the farm’s owner. “We do 60% of our revenue in eight weeks.”

Evan is the fourth generation Schutt to run the family business, which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1918.

Nowadays, it encompasses 50 acres of farmland, over 30 of which are planted in apples. Over 30 different varieties of the fruit will be offered in the fall, as many 20 of which will have come from the farm’s trees.

Folks have long come from miles around to buy the delicious fruit in the farm’s store or pick it right from its trees—the honey crisps are particularly popular. Schutt’s also makes and sells its own sweet apple cider. Each of the fried cakes it sells have a special ingredient.

“It has our apple cider baked in the dough,” Evan said. “We sell 1,200 dozen a day on the weekends in the fall.”

Some of the apple juice goes to a Sodus firm, which turns it into hard cider for sale at the farm. Schutt’s also sells cheeses, other foods, and gifts, and partners with local companies to hold evening classes on its grounds.

“We have a wooden flower class,” Evan said. “You would create a display that you could take home with you.”

Lovers of the fall will have an early treat the first weekend after Labor Day, when Schutt’s holds its Fall Kick Off. The farm’s biggest event of the year will feature bouncy houses, wagon tours of the grounds, magic shows and other attractions, all of them for free. Visitors will also be able to tour the cidery all through the season.

“We gave 85 tours last year in the fall,” Evan said.

In addition to apples, customers will also be able to buy sunflowers, zinnias and other flowers that they cut from the farm’s beds. Schutt’s also grows and sells peaches, raspberries and cherries in season. Kompaniec used to enjoy picking them with her family.

“We’ve come many, many times to pick cherries and raspberries, especially when my grandchildren were growing up,” she said. “It was a thrill for them to come and pick and weigh and take it home.”

For more information on Schutt’s Apple Mill, go to: https://schuttsapplemill.com.