When elementary students across the Moorhead Area Public Schools district bit into crisp, fresh apples on October 9, it may have seemed like an ordinary snack break. But those apples were part of the Minnesota Great Apple Crunch—a statewide celebration designed to connect students with local agriculture and teach them where their food comes from.
Part of National Farm to School Month in October, the Great Apple Crunch is observed throughout the region every year. This event encourages students to enjoy locally grown apples while supporting Minnesota farmers and promoting healthy eating habits among children. Last year, there were nearly two million participants crunching local apples within their communities.
The celebration was made possible thanks to the hard work of the Food Services staff across all five MAPS elementary schools, who went above and beyond to make the experience both fun and educational. Each classroom received apple-themed coloring sheets to engage students in a hands-on activity and students received a “Great Apple Crunch” sticker with their special softball sized apples grown here in Minnesota. These details generated excitement and curiosity among the children, and encouraged them to ask questions.
“The size of the apples opened the eyes of the kids and made them ask questions,” said April Herk, head cook at Dorothy Dodds Elementary. “When we introduce new foods, the kids will ask questions because it's something that they've never had before. It opens their eyes to other foods they may have not tried.”
April also shared insights into the different types of apples featured during the event. One variety in particular sparked interest: the First Kiss apple. A cross between the popular Honeycrisp and the AA-44 variety, the First Kiss stands out because it’s grown exclusively in Minnesota. The same apple grown outside the state is marketed as the Rave apple. Developed by the University of Minnesota, the First Kiss highlights the event’s focus on local agriculture and innovation.
By connecting students to local food sources in such an enjoyable way, the Great Apple Crunch brings in healthy habits and cultivates curiosity about where food comes from. As schools continue to explore ways to integrate hands-on learning into the classroom, the Great Apple Crunch serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest experiences, like enjoying a Minnesota-grown apple, can have a meaningful impact.