Rice Fruit History
Born in the picturesque foothills of rural Adams County, Rice Fruit Company is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s apple country. Rice Fruit Company receives, stores, packages and markets fruit for over 40 farm families in the surrounding areas.
Rice Fruit Company is a family run business, which was founded in 1913 by Arthur Rice. The Rice Family has been growing apples in Adams County since Daniel Rice arrived as a young German immigrant in the 1790's. Like the other small farmers in the area, Daniel Rice and his descendants grew apple trees in the scenic foothills of the South Mountain, the eastern-most ridge of the Appalachians. The region has ideal soils and topography that forms effective micro-climates for growing many kinds of fruit. With these valuable qualities, a commercial fruit growing industry began to develop in the 1900's. The company's first packing house was built in 1913- in Biglerville, PA- and throughout the twenties or thirties, Rice Fruit Company shipped apples all over the world. In 1955, Arthur Rice, Jr., built a new packing facility located in Gardners, PA. This remains the site of operations today. Arthur Rice, Jr. also formed a partnership with William Lott, to form R & L Orchards Co, and grow high quality fruit to be packed by Rice Fruit Company. The partnership between the Rice and Lott families continues to this day.
For decades, Rice Fruit was run by Ted, David, John and Mark…each specializing in their own niche of the business. Their diligence and dedication to their respective fields paved the way for the transition of the next branch of management.
In 2017, Ben Rice became President of Rice Fruit Company, succeeding his father, David Rice. In 2017, Brenda Briggs, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, took over leadership of our sales department from John Rice who has embraced a fruitful retirement. Leighton Rice manages the Quality Control Program as the Vice President and Ellie Rice has taken over leadership of R&L Orchards. They have taken great strides to lead the company into the future.
We take great pride in selling one of the delights of nature- a beautiful, delicious apple. The roots of Rice Fruit Company have been growing steadily for 110 years and with that growth comes a diligence and responsibility to remain steadfast in preserving our heritage, our environment and to support our local community. At the same time as embracing new technologies and carrying our legacy into the future.