International Eat An Apple Day – 19 September

International Eat An Apple Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, which falls on 19 September in 2026. The timing couldn't be much better in Britain, arriving as the British apple season is getting underway.

Apples have been cultivated for thousands of years and today are grown in an enormous variety of colours, flavours and textures. From crisp and sharp varieties to softer, sweeter apples, they're an incredibly versatile fruit that can be eaten fresh or used in everything from salads and sauces to cakes and desserts.

They're also one of the September foods where there is a genuine nutritional story to tell. Apples contain fibre, including in their skins, and provide vitamins and other plant compounds. Eating a varied range of fruit and vegetables is an important part of a balanced diet, so the familiar apple can make a simple addition to a working-day lunch or snack.

September's new-season British apples also give us a chance to think about where our food comes from. Britain has a long history of apple growing, with orchards producing numerous varieties suited to different uses, from eating straight from the tree to cooking.

For workplaces, fruit is an easy way to add freshness and variety to meetings, lunches and catering. And apples don't have to remain in the fruit bowl. Their combination of sweetness and acidity means they work in both sweet and savoury dishes.

International Eat An Apple Day is a timely reminder that nutritious food doesn't need to be complicated. Sometimes one of the simplest things in the fruit bowl is also one of the most versatile.