Rice Fruit Company is a family-run fruit packing business, which was founded in 1913 by Arthur Rice. The main packing facility is located in Gardners, Pennsylvania, about halfway between historic Gettysburg and Carlisle, PA. Throughout the Rice family farming history, it was noted that Adams County was ideal for growing fruit. The eastern-most ridge of the Appalachian Mountains forms peaks and valleys that act as a micro-climate for many kinds of fruit, but is ideal for growing apples. Many other family apple growers discovered the same idea and have been growing apples for just as long. The Rice Family built the current packing house in 1955, consolidating a commercial fruit growing/packing business that began in the early 1900’s. Currently, Rice Fruit grows, packs and markets fruit for about 40 farm families within the Adams County area.