Ben Rice, president of Adams County-based Rice Fruit Co., has been named The Packer’s 2026 Apple Person of the Year for his leadership during a devastating season for Pennsylvania apple growers.
Rice, an eighth-generation fruit grower, was recognized particularly for his work following a catastrophic freeze that caused widespread crop losses. He worked with growers to assess damage and advocated with local, state and federal officials for financial assistance. His efforts helped lead to state and federal disaster declarations and quicker processing of crop-insurance claims, providing critical support to growers facing severe cash-flow problems.
Colleagues said Rice made a point of representing growers of all sizes rather than focusing solely on the interests of Rice Fruit. They credited him with helping bring growers, businesses and government officials together during one of the Pennsylvania apple industry’s most difficult seasons.
Rice was also recognized for investing in the industry’s long-term future. He serves on the board of Knouse Foods Cooperative and has supported expansion of controlled-atmosphere apple storage in Pennsylvania, which allows growers to hold fruit for sale later in the season rather than selling into a crowded fall market.
Eight generations of Adams County apples
Rice comes from a family whose history in the Adams County fruit industry stretches back more than two centuries. Daniel Rice, a German immigrant, arrived in Adams County in the 1790s and began farming in the foothills of South Mountain. His descendants continued growing apples, and in 1913 Ben Rice’s great-grandfather, Arthur Rice, built the family’s first apple packing house in Biglerville. The company moved to its current Gardners location in 1955.
Rice graduated from Princeton University in 2005 and joined the family company in 2009, working primarily on the production side of the business. He earned an MBA from Penn State University in 2013. In 2017, Rice was elected president of Rice Fruit, succeeding his father, David Rice, and becoming the fourth generation of the family to lead the company.
Today, Rice Fruit receives, stores and markets apples from more than 40 area farm families. The company’s history and operations were featured by Gettysburg Connection in 2021 in “Rice Fruit Company’s Apples are ‘Sweet Natured’”. The article described the company’s apple-packing operation and the transition to its fourth generation of family management.
Rice’s leadership has also emphasized modernization and sustainability. The company has invested in controlled-atmosphere storage, solar power and other improvements intended to strengthen the business and the regional apple industry for future generations.
That long-term outlook was a theme of Rice’s remarks upon receiving the award.
“Hard times can show grit, and can also show cooperation, collaboration and mutual success,” Rice said. “The mid-Atlantic apple industry has been around for a very long time and will be around for a lot longer thanks to us working together.”
Rice is the third Rice Fruit leader to receive The Packer’s Apple Person of the Year honor, following his uncle John Rice and Lee Showalter.
Featured image caption: Ben Rice, president of Rice Fruit Co., accepts The Packer’s 2026 Apple Person of the Year award at the USApple Outlook conference as Christina Herrick, produce editor for The Packer, looks on. “Hard times can show grit, and can also show cooperation, collaboration and mutual success,” Rice said during his remarks. “The mid-Atlantic apple industry has been around for a very long time and will be around for a lot longer thanks to us working together.” (Photo courtesy of USApple)