All around Equestria, Pepper Ridge’s Farm was famous for their cookies. 

[i]“We do have many other items of course. Succulent breads as well as crackers and treats.” [/i]

[i]“You can find our products almost anywhere in Equestria. We also sell our stuff across over fifty countries, including Neighpon and Stalliongrad.” [/i]

[i] “Rumor has it that even Princess Celestia goes crazy for our stuff. We frequently fill out back-orders for the Royal Castle.” [/i]

[i]“But yes, we are known most for our cookies.”  [/i]

[i]“Only baked with the finest ingredients from the finest bakers in the world! And, baked with love of course!” [/i]

And Apple Bloom sure could taste the love in them. After she had told Applejack about class and how they had a speaker from Pepper Ridge’s farm, Applejack had become quiet. Then her sister had noticeably slammed the coffee cup on the table, scowling.

“Um, you want one?” Apple Bloom pushed the cookie package across the table toward her sister. 

These were the [i]chesshorse[/i] cookies, extra buttery and flaky squared cookies with chesshorse pictures printed on each side. According to the speaker, these were their top selling cookies. 

Applejack grunted disapproval. 

Apple Bloom kept munching. Still unsure of what to say, she settled on, “They’re really good.” 

Instead of answering, Applejack shook her head and grabbed the packaging inspecting it, looking at the logo, the nutrient percentages, the fine print. She rolled her eyes and Apple bloom could tell she wanted to throw them out, as if it were a moldy apple.

“Why don’t you like them?”

Applejack sighed. “I hate to tell you this AB, but Pepper Ridge’s farm isn’t a real farm. They’re a factory.”

“What do you mean, a factory?” Crumbs sputtered from her mouth. Winona, under her, started licking the floors.  

“It’s exactly what I said. They’re not a farm.” She grabbed the package and pointed at the picturesque windmill and cottage, sunlight pouring amongst the grassy fields, and ponies around, happy. “It’s a lie. Where’s the livestock? The barnyard? Hay, I’ll bet they don’t even have hay! And it’s definitely not,” Applejack paused, wryly staring at the package,” made with Mr. Ridge’s wholesome love. Machines make these cookies.” 

“Machines!”

“I’m sorry, AB…”  

The cookies in her mouth suddenly felt like sawdust. “Milk!”
“Say what now?”

“Milk! Cookies need milk, right? Maybe they have cows on their farm. They’re a farm-bakery then.” Apple Bloom said defiantly.

“They shouldn’t be using farm at all. It’s an affront to all of us. Golden and Daisy and even Pinkie an’ her family. At least say Pepper Ridge’s [i]Bakery[/i].” Applejack shook her head. “Anyways, I gotta tend the feels. Don’t eat too much or you’ll rot your teeth.” 

 “But they’re not a factory…” She whispered as Applejack left. Her eyes burned at the image on the package. “It’s time for a crusader meeting.” 
[hr]
“What do you say, everypony? You ready?”

The foals, collectively ready to invalidate Applejack’s theories, cheered and stood in front of the metal gates of Pepper Ridge’s farm, a massive white building, plain and very unfarm-like. Apple Bloom felt slightly sick. No windmill. No picket fences. It sure didn’t [i]look[/i] like the picture on the package. 

[i]It can’t be a factory. [i/]

Maybe things would look more promising once they got inside. 
[hr]
Lilly Longsocks, with her super strength, pried open the gates of the “farm.”

They walked through endless corridors, opening all the doors, but found no sign of anything cookie-related and after a half-hour of traipsing, the security guards found them.

Using his leverage as editor of the Foal Free Press, Featherweight concocted a story about writing about the farm. And Diamond Tiara, with her charms, gained them a tour. 

 “And for stopping by, we’ll even give you free samples,” the guards said as Featherweight’s camera flashed. 

“Nothing beats free cookies!” Scootaloo, next to Apple Bloom, cheered along with all the other foals.

And when they stepped into the baking room, just like that, their dreams died. 
[hr]
Dejected, the fillies took a shameful walk towards the exit.

“Hey, wait! Didn’t you want some free samples?”

One by one, they eyed one another and made their way to the gift shop. No one spoke a word during the the bus ride home.

They were too busy eating. 
[hr]
Over at the Hive, a changeling buzzed up to Queen Chrysalis and whispered something in her ears.

She spewed out her meal. “What do you mean these aren’t made from love?!”