Busch’s Fresh Food Market Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Young Minds Through Free School Tours

Photo courtesy of Busch’s Fresh Food Market

Free educational tours have helped thousands of southeast Michigan children explore healthy eating, food sourcing and sustainability.

For nearly three decades,

Busch’s Fresh Food Market has been opening its doors to the youngest members of the communities it serves, offering free, hands-on store tours designed to educate, inspire and connect. What began 28 years ago as an opportunity to introduce a new Livonia store to the neighborhood has grown into a meaningful community program that has reached thousands of children across southeast Michigan. Today, school classes, scout troops and youth groups continue to visit Busch’s stores to learn where their food comes from, how it is handled safely, and how everyday choices can support a healthier lifestyle and a more sustainable future.

At the center of the experience is Pat Grimes, a longtime Busch’s team member who has led these tours since the beginning. Known to many children as “Mr. Pat,” Grimes brings grocery retail to life in an engaging, memorable way—turning a routine trip to the store into an interactive learning experience that children carry with them long after the visit.

“These tours are about sparking curiosity,” said Grimes, of Ypsilanti. “We want kids to feel excited about trying new foods, understand how the food gets to their plate and see how even small actions, like recycling, can make a difference in their community.”

Throughout the tour, children explore the store from a new perspective.

In the produce department, they discover where fruits and vegetables are grown and why they are essential for strong, healthy bodies. In seafood and meat, they learn about sourcing and freshness, gaining a better understanding of how food travels from farm and ocean to their local store. Along the way, they also see how refrigeration and freezing play a critical role in food safety.

Sustainability is a key part of the experience. At the recycling center, children learn how returning bottles and cans keeps materials out of landfills and supports reuse. They are often amazed by the store’s cardboard baler, which compacts boxes into large bundles that are recycled into new packaging, bringing to life the impact a single store can have on reducing waste.

The tours also reinforce Busch’s role as a long-standing neighborhood partner. Over the years, the program has become a rite of passage in many communities. In some cases, nearly every first grader in a town has visited their local Busch’s, creating a shared experience that connects families, schools and the store.

“The impact of these tours goes far beyond a single visit,” said Bobby Turner, President of Busch’s Fresh Food Market. “We’re helping children build healthy habits, understand where their food comes from and see how businesses can be responsible members of the community. It’s one of the many ways we live out our commitment to the neighborhoods we serve.”

The number of tours varies each year based on school participation, but interest remains strong.

In spring 2025, 15 tours were hosted across Busch’s locations, with additional tours continuing throughout 2026. After nearly three decades, Grimes estimates he has guided thousands of children, many of whom return years later with families of their own.

For Busch’s, the tours represent more than education—they are an investment in the next generation of guests, neighbors and community leaders.

Busch’s Fresh Food Market proudly invests in the well-being of the communities it serves. From supporting local schools through its Cash for Education program, to providing ongoing donations to food banks such as Food Gatherers and Forgotten Harvest, and hosting bi-annual Milk Drives, the company remains deeply committed to strengthening education and fighting hunger across Southeast Michigan.

Schools and youth groups interested in scheduling a store tour can email buschstours@buschs.com. For more information about Busch’s Fresh Food Market, visit www.buschs.com.

About Busch’s Fresh Food Market

Founded in 1975, Busch’s Fresh Food Market is a family-owned independent supermarket chain which has been proudly serving the southeastern Michigan community for 51 years. It operates 16 stores in Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Lenawee and Livingston counties, and currently employs over 1,600 associates. The company, which has its headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is dedicated to offering high-quality groceries, premium produce, and exceptional customer service. Busch’s is committed to supporting local farmers, artisans, and suppliers to provide its customers with the best in fresh, sustainable food. For more information go to buschs.com.