Fruitsnacks and Make-A-Wish Gift Pear Trees to 43 Children in Nieuwerkerken Today

Nieuwerkerken (Eurotoday) – The Paesmans family of Fruitsnacks, in collaboration with Make-A-Wish, is gifting pear trees to 43 children today in Nieuwerkerken. This yearly tradition, now in its eighth consecutive edition, is part of a community-driven initiative that merges agriculture with charity.

As part of the annual program hosted by Fruitsnacks and Make-A-Wish, each child receives a pear tree marked with their name. The children will track the tree’s growth and fruit development through to the harvest season in September.

Today at 13:00, the event officially launched with a tree identification session and the introduction of a monthly newsletter. These updates aim to educate the young participants about fruit growing through hands-on learning and storytelling.

Alongside the main event, children also took part in interactive activities, including smoothie preparation and assembling Easter baskets—blending holiday fun with agricultural education. The event is designed to offer an enriching experience that connects children to the natural world through farming practices.

In September, the children and their families will return to Nieuwerkerken for the harvest celebration, where they will collect their own fruit boxes after learning harvesting techniques. Karel Paesmans highlighted that beyond environmental awareness, the program supports Make-A-Wish by contributing to its fundraising goals.

“The 43 children then went in search of their personal tree,” said Karel Paesmans. “From now until the fall, we will send a monthly newsletter so they can follow the growth of their own pears. They’ll learn about fruit cultivation in a fun, engaging way.”

“Through these activities we not only support Make-A-Wish, but we also donate a check in September to help them continue making wishes come true for years to come.”

The Broader Impact of Agriculture and Charity in Nieuwerkerken

Nieuwerkerken, located in Belgium’s Limburg province, lies in the heart of the Haspengouw region—renowned for its fruit production, particularly apples and pears. According to the Belgian Fruit Vegetables (BFV) cooperative, the region produces over 300,000 tons of fruit annually, with pears comprising around 60% of the area’s fruit exports.

The Paesmans family’s Fruitsnacks plays a key role in this agricultural ecosystem, supplying both local and international markets from their base in Haspengouw.

Since its founding in 2003, Make-A-Wish Belgium has granted more than 1,500 wishes to children facing critical illnesses. According to its reports, about 65% of these wishes involve hands-on or experiential components—similar in spirit to the pear tree project. In the eight years since their collaboration with Fruitsnacks began, the program has reached over 300 children and continues to expand.

Agricultural education in Limburg has grown in popularity, with local government data reporting a 12% increase in participation in farm-based learning programs since 2020.

The Pear Tree Initiative serves as a bridge between agricultural awareness and charitable giving. It has had positive effects on the local economy as well. Regional businesses reportedly generate between €50,000 and €70,000 annually from similar events, which stimulate growth in the hospitality and retail sectors during the harvest season.

While current financial data from Make-A-Wish is not yet disclosed, past pear tree harvest events have raised between €10,000 and €15,000 annually. Despite limited data on specific wish outcomes, the ongoing success of the initiative continues to benefit both children and the charitable mission.