Privacy Policy

We collect only the information we need to operate the directory.

• Information you provide, such as the details you submit through the orchard listing form (farm name, address, contact details, description, photo) or the messages you send us by email.
• Account information if you sign up as an orchard owner: email address and a hashed password stored securely by our authentication provider.
• Location information only when you use the "Orchards Near Me" feature and voluntarily share your device location or enter a ZIP code. We do not store your precise location on our servers.
• Technical information such as your browser type, device, general region (from your IP address), pages visited, and referring site. This is used to improve the site and detect abuse.

• To display, verify, and maintain accurate orchard listings.
• To respond to your email or submission.
• To improve site content, search, and performance.
• To protect the site from spam, abuse, and fraud.
• To comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not send marketing emails without your explicit request.

We use a small number of essential cookies to keep the site functional, plus privacy-respecting analytics to understand aggregate traffic patterns (page views, popular states, device type). Analytics data is aggregated and cannot be used to identify you personally.

To run the site we rely on a small number of trusted vendors: our hosting and database provider, an email delivery service for contact-form messages, and mapping APIs (such as Google Maps and OpenStreetMap) that render orchard locations. Each is bound by its own privacy policy and only receives the minimum data needed.

Orchard listings and submissions are retained as long as the farm operates and wants to appear on the site. Contact-form messages are retained for up to 24 months. You can request deletion of any personal data at any time.

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or export the personal information we hold about you, and to object to certain uses. Email contact@applepickingfinder.com and we will act on your request within 30 days.

Apple Picking Finder is a general audience website. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.

We use industry-standard safeguards (encrypted database connections, secure password storage, restricted admin access) to protect your information. No online service can guarantee absolute security, so please choose a strong password if you create an orchard-owner account.

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above and, for significant changes, add a notice on the homepage.

Questions about privacy? Email contact@applepickingfinder.com.