The Apple Man

By Martha Woodward

Winesap, Red Rome, McIntosh, Granny Smith — these varieties of apples and more can be purchased along side the roadway between Walland and Townsend at the base of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 

Salesman Wilford Inman, looks as if he stepped right out of a Norman Rockwell painting with his worn overalls, plaid shirt, gray beard and weathered skin. Inman is known by the nickname of The Apple Man. He will gladly sell you any amount of apples, from one to 1,000. 

A half peck of apples (about 24) sells for $5, a peck for $10 and a bushel for $15. 

"The bushel is the best value," said Inman, sitting in the back of his well-driven truck.

Inman makes between 18 to 20 trips per season to the A & W Orchard near Benton, Tenn. The 72-acre orchard is set up so that just as one variety of apple ripens and is picked, the next variety is maturing and is ready to take its place. 

Inman learned about the apple business through a friend who sells apples around the Maryville area. Inman is a retiree who is spending his retirement years sharing the good news about apples, while putting a spot of family-owned land to good use.

Apples have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and contain small amounts of potassium, which may promote heart health, help maintain healthy blood pressure and a healthy heart.  The old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” has been scientifically shown to be true.

He sells apples four days a week — Friday through Monday. Look for him as you travel Highway 321 or ask for directions to the Apple Man when you get to the Townsend area. 

Inman not only sells apples, he also sells boiled peanuts, natural honey, chainsaw art and a variety of other crafts. The boiled peanuts are available 365 days a year and have earned him his other nickname, The Peanut Man.

Inman is happy for the nicknames, and says his business is successful for two reasons; he pays attention to customer service by being friendly, and he has great products that sell themselves.