Apple Detectives in Rēzekne: One Ingredient, Three Countries

On 25 September 2026, Daugavpils University brought children aged 7–10 together at ARPC “Zeimuļs” in Rēzekne, Latvia, for “Apple Detectives” — a playful food discovery workshop celebrating Interreg Cooperation Day 2026. Organised within the EDUFOOD BSR project, the event combined hands-on exploration with video contributions from partners in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Could an everyday apple still hold a few surprises? The young participants set out to find out. A mystery basket challenged them to identify its contents through touch, while apple detective worksheets encouraged them to look closely, compare their observations and describe what they discovered.

The workshop drew on the SAPERE approach to food education, which invites children to explore food through sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste. Participants examined apples’ colours, shapes and surfaces, explored their aromas and sounds, and had the opportunity to taste three apple varieties. Tasting was voluntary, with children encouraged to express their own preferences and recognise that the same food can be experienced differently by different people.

Following an apple trail across the Baltic countries

Video messages from Klaipeda University, The Association “Klaipeda Region”, The Municipality of Ludza Country and The Association of Municipalities of Tartu Country introduced an international dimension to the activities. Partners shared questions about apples, inviting children to consider their nutrients, colours, the animals and insects that enjoy them, and their own favourite apple characteristics.

The children also discovered how to say “apple” in their neighbours’ languages: obuolys in Lithuanian and õun in Estonian.

After each video, participants placed a paper apple beside the corresponding city on a Baltic map. Step by step, an apple trail connected Klaipeda, Ludza and Tartu, making cooperation between the three countries visible and accessible to the young audience.

A shared tree of discoveries

To conclude the workshop, each child contributed a written or drawn discovery on a paper apple to a shared apple tree. The finished tree brought their individual observations together, creating a colourful record of what they had explored. Participants received diplomas recognising their contribution to the apple detective adventure.

Through a familiar food and a series of simple activities, the event introduced children and their families to EDUFOOD BSR and the cooperation behind it. It also demonstrated how ideas shared across borders can become practical learning experiences in a local community.

Daugavpils University thanks ARPC “Zeimuļs” for hosting the event, the project partners for their video contributions, and the children and their families for taking part.

About EDUFOOD BSR

Led by Daugavpils University, EDUFOOD BSR — Educational Food Innovation for Healthier Habits and a Greener Baltic Sea Region — supports food education through cooperation between universities, municipalities and education practitioners. The project develops teacher training and prepares practical activities for schools, including the use of the SAPERE approach.

EDUFOOD BSR (#S040) is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027.

Contact person:
Aļona Peinere
Project Manager, Daugavpils University
Email: [email protected]

This article has been produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Daugavpils University and under no circumstances can be regarded as reflecting the official position of the European Union.

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