Parker’s Fruit Stand

Bright orange pumpkins lined the gravel drive. Rainbows of apples were stacked challenging any customer not to carry them home with a chubby pumpkin underarm. Parker’s Orchard fruit stand, located in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina, is the quintessential Americana country shop.

The fall sunshine was warming its tin roof. Rustic wooden rails tried to hold in the sweet smell of freshly picked apples that were wafting to our noses the moment we exited our truck. The spunky Hessie, a beautiful 91-year-old lady, helped customers left and right, taking payment and hand writing receipts of purchase.

A quiet figure oversaw it all. Jonah Parker, the founder of Parker’s fruit stand and adjoining apple orchard, is a passionate connoisseur of all things apples. Five years junior his older sister Hessie, Jonah is still going strong in his love of one of God’s most beautiful creations – trees, specifically of the apple variety.

Expertly grafting old and forgotten types, Jonah resurrects apples of all kinds: The King David, Honey Crisp, Staymin Winesap, and favorites such as Granny Smith and Golden Delicious. If you ask him his favorite, he will stick with his tried and true answer, “The last apple I ate…”

The Virginia Beauty was said to have the best flavor in the world per the runt of the family, Clay Parker (my grandpa). He remembers it is by the “map” on the top of the apple.

The Rattle Core apple is named for its loose seeds within “rattling” when shook. The Sally makes the best apple butter. For those who like their apples pithy, then the Smokehouse apple is your pick. Heirloom Golden Grimes are sweet and filled with a wildflower taste.

Back in the orchard, surrounded by younger and abundant trees is Jonah’s “brag tree”. Boasting over 120 varieties on one tree alone, it is a testament to Jonah’s dedication to his orchard and his grafting talent. Never knowing exactly what will produce from year to year, the tree surprises its farmer each season with a mix of varieties. We had the privilege of seeing Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Virginia Beauty and a few others on the tree during our visit.

When asking Jonah the secrets behind his success he humbly states it all comes down to a good sharp knife. I gather it also has a lot to do with his patience (a trait of the Parker men) and many prayers (also a trait of these mountain men). Jonah began the orchard shortly after his discharge from the United States Army during World War II. His dedicated and adoring wife, Helen, has been with him every step of the way.

Over forty years later, Jonah has handed the managing to his grandson, Gray Faw. Together with a team of hardworking people, Gray has expanded the business with pumpkins, peaches, grapes, and even honey comb provided by another vendor.

It is evident there is something in the blood of these mountain men and their passion to produce the best apples in America. Their passion is contagious; Ryder couldn’t get enough apple picking, ladder climbing, grading and boxing lessons. We literally had to pry him from the orchard.

All that was missing was the whistling:

Pictured Above from left: Clay Parker (Ryder’s great-grandpa “Paw-Paw”), Rodney Parker (Ryder’s Papa and my dad), Ryder Mack (“Apple Boy”, age four), Hessie Parker-Holcomb (Ryder’s great-great Aunt), Jonah Parker (Ryder’s great-great uncle).