Edwards Apple Orchard — Local services in Poplar Grove Township

Great place to go for fall fun - Perfect for tweens and teens! Found this place last year -- Went for the second time today. As we're in October, I called first thing this morning to check on what apples and if apples were available to pick. The message was clear "Golden Delicious for picking, but we expect to run out today! -- Next picking would be Fuji next weekend". We arrived early -- I think the dreary weather was a benefit to us with the low crowd levels. We know it's a business for apple picking, so we know the cost. Gentlemen at the entrance was friendly and answered our questions. I was excited to learn that next year, we can bring our basket back to avoid the $3 deposit. And our friend mentioned decorating it with info about our yearly trips -- Who, what date, which apples -- creativity is flowing! So, we made our $40 purchase for our picking basket plus the $3 deposit -- Sign is clear, at least 1 basket for 1-6 people, 2 baskets for 7-12. Then we took the ride out to the golden delicious area. We were greeted with directions on the aisle that was left for the picking -- yep, it won't last long before this aisle is picked. We found plenty of good golden delicious apples in varying sizes. DELICIOUS! Then we took our ride back. The cider bar was open for yummy donuts and cider. The helpers were friendly and worked well together - I have an allergy, the helper went to another worker for the answer I needed and was very pleasant about doing so. The potato tent was running too -- I like the potatoes since I can't have the donuts that my family fights over. We picked our pumpkins from the bin - Good size at a very reasonable price! We took our photo with the Edwards Orchard 2016 sign. Then, our day was completed with shopping in the barn -- LOVE the corn salsa!!!! My children love that they can try so many samples. Only thing I missed was Halloween crafts/items for purchase this year -- we found so many treasures last year; however, we did leave with plenty of food purchases and other gifts to give. Looking forward to next year -- hoping to make it in September for different...

This was my family’s first visit to this orchard, and unfortunately, it was not a positive experience. We brought our own bags since we were unsure of the orchard’s policy, and there was no signage at the entrance stating outside bags were prohibited. Even at the register, where we purchased the required $50 wooden basket for our group of five, nothing was mentioned about outside bags.

We began picking apples, placing most of them in our own bags and backpack because the wooden basket is bulky, uncomfortable to carry with its thin steel handles, and overall impractical (likely by design to discourage customers from collecting too many apples). While waiting to move to the next area, a staff member approached us in an accusatory tone, insisting we remove apples from our personal bags and place them in the basket. We complied, though the interaction was unpleasant.

At the second picking area, another staff member — clearly alerted by the first — went out of his way to approach us again. This time, he objected to us putting apples in small plastic bags (the ones you get from grocery stores) inside the wooden basket for easier carrying later on. To be clear, the apples were not in our backpack or outside the basket — they were in the basket we paid for, just organized in small bags. Despite this, he treated us as if we were trying to cheat the system or steal, which was both unnecessary and insulting.

If personal bags are prohibited — and even using small plastic bags inside the paid basket is against policy — then clear signage should be posted at the entrance, and staff at the register should inform customers who arrive with bags. The lack of communication and the accusatory attitude of staff left a very poor impression. What should have been a fun family outing turned into an unpleasant and frustrating experience. I would strongly recommend taking your...

I was hesitant to review hoping my family was the only group that received shameful treatment by the staff, but after losing sleep over it and reading many reviews, it is clear that is not the case.

That staff was unnecessarily rude to my family and was completely unwilling to accommodate our mid-sized group. While the rules are clearly posted and understood, the staff continued to treat us like nothing more than a commodity. My extended family drove from many hours away to enjoy a nice day together, but the staff had absolutely no care or consideration. One employee even went as far as to stalk our group because he was empowered to do so and made childish comments when we collectively decided to get our money back and forgo apple picking. I have never been treated so inhumanely in my life.

I proceeded to speak with the owner who too was passive aggressive. His perceived racism and support of his staffs behavior was quite frankly shocking. He made it very clear that the discontent and treatment of my family were of little concern to him because they service "15,000 other visitors each day anyway."

Although the grounds provide for a lot of fun activities, especially for the little kids who loved the day, there are too many other options for picking apples and pumpkins to visit a place that cares more about profit than customer experience. I personally had come from the city planning on purchasing many fresh goods, but after our experience, could not support the farm.

Needless to say, we will probably never go back and would not encourage...