Brightly Community Cookbook: The Farmlink Project's Apple Crisp

At The Farmlink Project, apples hold a special meaning. In 2023, Farmlink led one of the largest food recovery efforts in U.S. history — rescuing 16 million pounds of apples from farms across West Virginia after 11 growers lost their contracts just before harvest. With support from Senator Joe Manchin, the USDA, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Farmlink stepped in to keep millions of pounds of perfectly good apples from rotting in the fields — connecting farmers, food banks, and families across the country.

This recipe, passed down from teammate Jess Henderson's grandmother in a handmade family cookbook, commemorates that accomplishment with the perfect cozy dessert.

Recipe: Apple Crisp

Ingredients

• 4 cups peeled, sliced, and cored apples

• ⅔–¾ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup sifted flour

• ½ cup oats

• ¾ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• ½ cup soft margarine or butter

Instructions

1. Place sliced apples in a greased 8x8-inch square or 10x6-inch oblong pan.

2. Blend remaining ingredients until the mixture is crumbly; spread evenly over apples.

3. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes, until apples are tender and the top is golden brown.

4. Serve warm — ideally with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
   
   

Image source: Love and Lemons