Students make apple butter in support of fundraising efforts. | Photo courtesy: University of Arkansas Food Science Club
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Food Science Club’s annual apple butter fundraiser is back, marking the 56th year selling student handmade apple butter jars to raise money for club activities. The locally sourced ingredients were put together by club members and university faculty in one day. This year, they made about 2,000 jars to sell to anyone interested.
“It gives them really good hands-on experience to volunteer,” said Dr. Morgan Denzer, a professor in the Department of Food Science and a faculty advisor to the club. “Some volunteer for an hour, some stay half a day. Our students have a lot of fun when they do it… I think they feel a lot of accomplishment doing it, especially when you think about making 2,000 jars, that’s not necessarily something that every student organization gets to do.”
Each jar sells for $6, or $60 for a bundle case of 12. Denzer said the club usually sells out before Thanksgiving.
”The first week is really busy, we’re selling upwards of 15 to 20 cases, which is 60 jars a piece, “ she said. “As time goes on we’re selling less jars.”
The product was made at the Arkansas Food Innovation Center earlier this month with supervision from Dr. Renée Threlfall and John Swenson. Roughly 60 students participated in the two-day process. The recipe is simple, local and traditional; it contains only apples, water, sugar, cinnamon, and allspice.
The students go through all the steps of standard apple butter production themselves, and follow a strict safety flow chart, measuring pH and Brix levels, a measure of sugar concentration, finishing by giving the product a boiling water bath to make sure it is safe for storage. All standard personal protective equipment rules are followed as well. The students wear hair nets, gloves, and closed-toed shoes while working in the facility.
This year, the apple butter was made from Jonathan apples, grown at Vanzant Fruit Farms in Lowell, Ark. Family-owned and operated since 1949, the farm grows several products such as peaches, multiple apple types, concord grapes and other seasonal fruits.
“They have been someone that we’ve gone to for the last several years,” Denzer said. “They’ve always been really good to us.”
Denzer also noted that Newly Weds Foods has donated much of the spices and some of the sugar every year to help make this fundraiser happen.
The fundraiser has developed a loyal following. Many returning students and faculty order multiple cases, up to eight to 10 cases each year, for personal and gift uses.
The fundraiser has also found local supporters beyond just the campus, such as Farmers Table. “They have actually bought a lot of apple butter from us,” said Denzer. “Even last year, they put our apple butter as part of a giveaway basket. It was on their Instagram.”
Denzer said the project gives students ownership and pride in their work. “It’s a really longstanding tradition,” she said. “I think our students take a lot of pride in being a part of that.”
The apple butter is available for sale while supplies last. Jars and cases can be purchased directly Monday through Friday from the Department of Food Science office in the Food Science Building in room N113. The club accepts cash or checks made out to “U of A Food Science Club.” Purchases can also be made and coordinated by calling 479-575-4605.