WASHINGTON - Honoring the spirit of the holidays by giving to others, FirstFruits Farms has announced the opening of submissions for the Opal® Apple Youth Make a Difference Initiative. Through the program, grants are awarded to youth-led nonprofit organizations excelling nationally.

“More than ten years ago, FirstFruits Farms tied our Opal apples to a charitable program we called Youth Make a Difference because it aligned with our values and how we operate as a company,” said Chuck Zeutenhorst, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, FirstFruits Farms. “Today, FirstFruits Farms is humbled by the impact we continue to have on these organizations that do so much for their local community.”

With the goal of using agriculture to amplify philanthropy, FirstFruits will donate a number of grants to youth-based initiatives serving domestic communities, a release stated. The organizations must feature youth, ages 6–25, in leadership roles and conceptualizing and spearheading fundraising activities.

The chosen organization must focus on one of more of the following issues:

• Food security
• Nutrition
• Agriculture
• Food politics and education

Since its inception in 2010, FirstFruits Farms’ Youth Make a Difference program has awarded a total of $770,000 dollars to over 60 nonprofit organizations.

Applications are open now and close Friday, December 16, at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST.

To learn more about the qualifications or to submit an application, click here.

At AndNowUKnow, we will continue to shine a light on the companies across the produce industry doing good in their communities.

FirstFruits Farms