Rice Fruit to showcase record Eastern apple crop at IFPA show

Rice Fruit Co. plans to showcase Eastern apples at this year’s IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show.

The show is scheduled for Oct. 19-21 in Anaheim, California. The Gardners, Pennsylvania, Rice plans to Eastern spotlight traditional and trending apple varieties.

“We enjoy connecting with the produce supply chain in the fall.” Brenda Briggs, Rice Fruit’s vice president of sales and marketing, said in a news release. “The energy of harvest season will be abuzz in our booth as we share the excitement of this year’s record crop.”

Showcasing both established and new apple varieties in its booth, IFPA Global Show attendees will discover Rice’s newest variety, the trademarked Lemonade. The golden apple has a bright, sweet-tart flavor with a refreshing effervescence. Its crisp texture satisfies with a firm yet juicy crunch, according to the release.

Rice Fruit’s exceptional crop is attributed to the Adams County microclimate, and the dedication to sustainable farming practices at the core of Rice Fruit’s business model.

“Our crop has exceptional fruit quality and is bursting with flavor this fall,” Briggs said in the release. “We’re excited to sample some of the most flavor-forward apple varieties to complement our tried and true, consistent consumer favorites. Our suite of apples is bursting with flavor this fall, exemplifying our record apple crop and exceptional fruit quality. We’re excited to sample some of the most flavor-forward apple varieties in compliment to our tried and true, consistent consumer favorites.”

The Rice Fruit booth will also showcase staples including Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady and Gala.

“Our commitment to sustainability is evident at each stop of the growing, packing, and shipping process,” Briggs said in the release. “Our use of innovative techniques allows us to reduce our ecological footprint through smarter on-farm practices such as integrated pest management, efficient water usage and soil conservation.”

In addition, Rice Fruit’s fruit and its employees are enjoying the company’s new Pollinator Garden, an example of the sweet-natured balance of the ecosystem, according to the release.

The exhibit will also continue Rice’s celebrating the company’s 110th year of business.

Rice Fruit is a family-run fruit growing and packing business in the heart of Pennsylvania’s apple country. Employing new packinghouse technology, Rice Fruit is situated on the easternmost ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. The region’s peaks and valleys create a microclimate ideal for growing apples and many other fruits.