Michigan Apple Blossom Day Teaches 700 Students

SPARTA MI – As the school year comes to an end we all know children are anxious to get out and enjoy their summer. This is why Riveridge Produce Marketing invited 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to Apple Blossom Day on Tuesday May 10th. The day was filled with new experiences for these students as they learned all about the process of growing Michigan apples, while being surrounded in the orchard’s blossoming environment.

Stations throughout the orchard educated children about where their local fruit comes from. The groups traveled through the orchard on a safe wagon ride while they gained knowledge along the way. Stops at learning stations focused on grafting, how bees are involved in pollination, pest management, harvest procedures, and the different Michigan apple varieties.

From the moment the students arrived they were excited and willing to learn everything they could. Their faces lit up when they got to meet the Michigan Apple Guy character and the Michigan Apple Queen runner-up Hillary Heeren before getting on the wagons for the tour. “This is really cool” a third grade boy from Coopersville said to a friend while watching a bin hauler in action. Little moments like these reassured the volunteers that they were doing their part. Students were also shocked when they saw 200 year old Johnny Appleseed cooking with the pot he wore on his head.

The smiles on the children’s faces made everything worth it. “The teachers and students were so thankful for the opportunity, and they learned so much” – Rog Geers, Partner and VP of Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc.

Overall Apple Blossom Day was a great success for Riveridge, and they are looking forward to doing it again in the future. Riveridge wants to thank the 50 volunteers and sponsors who helped make Apple Blossom Day possible. Apple Blossom Day sponsors included Affy Tapple, Burnette Foods Inc, Fruit Ridge Farm Market &
U-Pick, Litehouse, Michigan Apple Committee, Peterson Farms, and Rockford Package Supply. The goal was to educate children about local Michigan Apples, and at the end of the day they accomplished their goal.

About Riveridge Produce Marketing

Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc. is a Sparta, Michigan-based company representing produce growers throughout Michigan and North America, including fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation apple farmers. Riveridge is located in the Michigan fruit belt “The Ridge” known for its ideal growing conditions for apples. A full-service fresh-apple grower, packer and exporter, Riveridge specializes in bringing unique varieties to market and currently distributes more than 20 varieties throughout the United States as well as globally. Additional product lines include: old-fashioned apple cider, gourmet caramel apples, Michigan sweet cherries and red-tart cherry-juice concentrate. Please visit our website at riveridgeproduce.com.

Source: Riveridge Produce Marketing