Integrity, it’s at our core.

Applewood Fresh is built on generations of experience and passion. Just as the concentric rings of a tree tell the history of its existence, Applewood’s story of growth is told in rings of integrity and value. From the land our family-run orchards rest on to the fruit we deliver each season, we are committed to delivering apples with integrity.

Our Packing Facilities

With the help of our ultra-modern packing facilities, we are able to supply delicious, fresh apples to you.

We are proud to work with apple packers, shippers, and growers that are experts in the field. All of our packing facilities are operated by individuals who have been in the apple industry for years, keeping the generational knowledge carried on.

3 Locations:

Elite Apple Co. – Sparta, MI
Applewood Orchards Inc. – Deerfield, MI
New Era’s American Apple – New Era, MI

new era’s american apple elite apple co.applewood orchards inc.

Quality Assurance

We are always aiming for quality at every level of our operation. From orchard to final pack, our standards are to exceed the standards you’ve set. Here are some of the systems we’ve put in place to go above and beyond your expectations:

Internal defect sorting via infrared light and external defect sorting/color grading via digital camera assures that only the very best apples make their way to supermarket shelves.
Highly-automated line lowers production cost—lowering the cost of apples to customers and consumers.
High-speed packing lines save time and accommodate emergency orders, while ensuring the apples are handled gently.
Automated system supports customer pack preference – poly bag, mesh bag, bulk containers, euro cartons, trays, or bins.

99.5%

Acceptance Rate

Quality Checks from Orchard to Final Pack

2022-2023 Crop

Safety and Security

Food safety and security are top priorities at all our farms and packhouses. We require both growers and packhouses to be audited through PrimusGFS™, a global food-safety initiative. This audit includes an analysis of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) standards, which are designed to protect public health by preventing food hazards at the point of production.

With the passing of the Food Safety Modernization Act through the FDA, we have been on top of instituting what is necessary to meet the legal requirements. In addition to these independent verifications of quality and safety, our internal quality/food safety personnel continually monitor standards in the orchards and packhouses.

Picking and Packing

We provide expert guidance and resources to our growers while helping packhouses maintain the highest quality-assurance standards during sorting, packing, and shipping. This enables us to deliver the freshest, finest, most flavor-packed apples to our customers and consumers. Locations of our three ultramodern, packing facilities:

Applewood Orchards Inc. – Deerfield, MI
Elite Apple Co. – Sparta, MI
New Era’s American Apple Packing LLC. – New Era, MI

Traceability

While post-delivery product issues are virtually unknown, a sophisticated traceability and recall system enables us to immediately pinpoint the orchard from which any apple was harvested. Annual mock recall tests confirm our ability to respond quickly and effectively to any potentially harmful situation.

Sustainability

We respect and value the natural resources that enable us to deliver the world’s best apples to you. Our grower families have worked this land for generations and we’re doing all we can to safeguard the environment for generations to come. We have implemented sustainability efforts at every level, from grower to packhouse to shipping. Here are just a few of our sustainability initiatives:

Recycling and composting organic materials
Reducing and recycling water through trickle irrigation and other methods
Using “pooled pallets” and recycled plastic containers (RPCs)
Eco-friendly packaging
Reducing, eliminating or mitigating fertilizers
Integrated pest management
Wind machines
Solar powered panels on packing facility
Computerized smart sprayers to prevent overspray

Training and Education

All of our staff are trained to understand and carry out his or her role in our food safety program. We also provide continual training for key grower and packhouse personnel, who in turn educate their workers to ensure consistent execution from harvest through shipping. Training covers a wide range of topics, including:

Continual pre-harvest orchard inspections to prevent contamination and animal intrusion
Worker health and hygiene
Security issues
Recordkeeping
Cleanliness

1935

April 10, 2020

Walter Swindeman Sr., planted 600 trees on the original 16 acres in Deerfield, MI. When the trees started to produce, he stored the fruit in the basement of his garage and sold the fruit out of his garage. This is the start of the plan of Applewood Orchards.

1940

April 10, 2021

Walter then moved his business to a more practical location. In this building, he insulated and refrigerated for long-term storage of apples. This is said to be one of the first cold storages built in Michigan.

1950

April 10, 2022

In 1958, Bernard and Beverly Swindeman (the parents of current owners) take over the family business from Walter. Upon taking over the business, Bernie constructed his first controlled atmosphere room and began to pack fruit for several other growers in the surrounding areas of Michigan and Ohio.

1960s – 1970s

April 10, 2023

Bernie and Bev begin to grow their family and business, with three sons and a daughter by their side. Applewood Orchards has now grown to 100+ acres of land and continues to pack and grow. In 1961, a new packing line was added and one of the first apple washer-waxers in the country was installed.

1980s – 1990s