The fresh produce industry is made of a patchwork of family narratives, stories stitched together by a generation of people making a life for themselves in America. These founding farmers took what they knew from their homeland and created a legacy that continues to this day. Rice Fruit Co. is one of those stories.

The northwestern region of New York state is known for its great growing conditions with rich fertile soil, consistent sources of natural precipitation and overall moderate temperatures. Last winter, the weather in the region proved to be overall mild, which followed with a cool spring that set up near ideal conditions for the start of the apple season.

With his thumb held high, Kyle Mathison and the rest of the Stemilt founding family celebrated the beginnings of a new apple crop in the Washington State Apple Blossom Parade.

On Saturday May 6, the Mathison family participated in the annual Stemilt Grand Parade riding in a 1926 Ford Model-T and the Stemilt Volkswagen Ladybug. Leading the family in this beloved spring event was matriarch Lorraine Mathison in the ladybug. She celebrated her 95th birthday last year.

Elite Apple Co. will be joining forces with Honeybear Brands to market its apple varieties with the retailer in mind. The Elite Apple Co. is a privately held, grower-owned production facility located in Sparta, MI, the heart of Michigan’s apple country. For more than 40 years, growers that make up The Elite Apple Co. team have been growing premium apples.

Raley’s and FirstFruits Farms teamed up to provide fresh apples to the Placer County Food Bank. As a part of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger program, 17,000 pounds of fresh apples were delivered last week.

After several months of inflation, budgets continue to be tight and top of mind for consumers. In response to this challenging environment, Honeybear Brands is offering a no-frills, all-the-flavor Sweet Deal option.