HAMPDEN -- Students around the state celebrated Maine produce with a new tradition they can really sink their teeth into.

At high noon, students across the state all took a bite of a locally sourced apple.

According to RSU 22 nutrition director Pete Merritt, today was the inaugural Maine Apple Crunch Day from the Department of Education's Child Nutrition Program.

Merritt says the day is intended to promote local produce and a healthy diet.

Merritt and students agree they'd like to see the day become an annual tradition.

"It was so satisfying just to hear a crunch from every room and even the whole entire school did it," says 6th grader hamilton savage, "So, I think we should continue this and make it a holiday or something like that."

According to Merritt, students across the RSU 2

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