The aroma of fresh apples fills the air in rural Adams County this time of year. For nearly 70 years, the Kime family has been growing apples in Bendersville, with three generations helping carry the family business forward.
Kime’s Cider Mill was established in 1957 by Randy Kime’s parents, Robert and Cora Kime. Today, Randy operates the business alongside his son, Cody, and son-in-law, Nathan Grimes, continuing a family tradition that began more than six decades ago. His daughter, Emily manages operations in the office.
Randy said, “my father developed an interest in growing fruit as a teenager. He worked on various farms, eventually rented a farm and began selling produce at local markets. As the operation continued to grow, Robert and Cora decided to establish their own business in 1957.”
Over the years, the family has continued to add acreage and expand the operation to meet the growing demand for its products. “We’re always updating and upgrading,” Randy said, explaining that the goal is to keep up with demand while finding ways to work faster and more efficiently.”
Randy has watched those changes firsthand. As a young boy, he remembers apples being handled in traditional bushel crates. Eventually, bulk bins were introduced. They allowed large quantities of apples to be moved more efficiently with forklifts. Bulk bins are particularly helpful during the busy fall harvest season.
The work at Kime’s Cider Mill remains demanding. During peak seasons, the Kime family and their employees can work approximately 12-hour days, with even longer hours when necessary. Kime’s is always updating machinery and modernizing operations.
One of the best known products that has remained a staple of the business is their fresh apple cider. Kime’s Cider Mill uses many varieties of apples grown on the farm that are suitable for cider production. They blend both sweet and tart apples to create its delicious, popular cider.
The mill produces cider from September through April, with approximately 200,000 gallons produced each year.
For those who love honeycrisp apples, Kime’s creates a cider made exclusively using this apple variety. With so many products to choose from, Randy said, “it is difficult to name a favorite. However, if I had to pick just one, my choice would be the peach applesauce.”
Kime’s Cider Mill remains a family-run business rooted in agriculture, hard work, and a commitment to providing fresh, locally grown products. “Our core is still apple products,” Randy expressed.
Visitors can stop by the Kime’s Cider Mill retail store in Bendersville located at 171 Church Street to purchase fresh apples, cider, applesauce, pumpkin butter, and other local products. The store is currently open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Gift boxes and products are also available for purchase online through the company’s website at kimescidermill.com. Items can be shipped throughout the country.
