inside: nyaa reveals 2014 media buying plan page 11

Apple slices are not the only fruit that McDonald’s is ‘lovin’ now....................................... Page 3Paul Baker shares some thoughts about how New Yorkers harvest their crop....................................... Page 4Ag employers may be facing new federal regulations....................................... Page 5

New NYAA trade ads promote 2014 crop........................... Pages 6 and 7Julia Stewart talks about NYAA’s public relations strategy for fall of 2014....................................... Page 9

Mark Nicholson, left, is installed as new chairman of U.S. Apple Association..................................... 0

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In this Issue

7645 Main StreetPO Box 350Fishers New York 14453-0350

Official Newspaper of the New York Apple Association Volume 3, Issue 4 September 2014

Inside: NYAA reveals

2014 media buying plan

Page 11

Monster U.S. cropdue to arrive soon!USApple predicts more than 260,000 bushels of applesBy Jim [email protected]

The word is out; the U.S. apple crop for the 2014-15 year is a monster, with the big gorilla

getting fatter each day.The gorilla, of course, is Washington

State. How fat you ask … to the tune of

174,279 million bushels. Add this to the rest of the country and the prediction for U.S. production this year is at 263,804 million bushels.

The large Washington crop, which is expected to exceed 140 million packed cartons, is the largest crop in modern times.

It is 20 percent above their five-year average and will exceed their last record crop in 2012 that produced 129 million cartons for market.

Editor’s note: Washington prefers to report their apple volume in packed cartons, rather than our method which is total tree run bushels. The 140 million number represents what they expect to sell and the balance of 34,279 million is the pack out that is processed. In other words, their mistakes equal our yearly volume in New York.

The U.S. Apple Association waits

See Crop, Page 14

Participants at the 2014 USApple Outlook Conference in Chicago, where the 2014 crop forecast was revealed.

Aldi introduces healthier checkoutsAndnowyouknow.com

UNITED KINGDOM — Aldi is introducing “healthier tills” at all of its 500 UK stores in January 2015.

Daily Mail reports that Aldi will remove all confectionery, chocolate and sweets for checkout stands and replace them with healthier options like dried and fresh fruit, nuts, juices and water.

“It is welcome news that Aldi is promoting healthier tills across all of its stores. We want all retailers to ensure that product positioning, particularly at the checkout, helps people to make healthier choices,” Richard Lloyd, Executive Director of the consumer group ‘Which?,’ told the Guardian.

Aldi’s decision comes after a 16-week trial in a select number of UK stores that ran from February to June of this year.

“The healthier tills trial quickly showed that healthier foods prove more popular with our shoppers than the traditional checkout offer of confectionery and sweets,” said Giles Hurley, Aldi’s Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying.

In January, Lidl banned confectionery from its 600 UK stores, and then in May, Tesco announced that it would be removing sweets and chocolates. Now Aldi will be doing the same.

Demoulas buys Market BasketAndnowyouknow.com

TEWKSBURY, Mass. — It may have taken the intervention of two governors, the protests of thousands of employees, and a two-month boycott, but news has finally broken that Market Basket has finalized a $1.6 billion deal with Arthur T. Demoulas.

According to the New York Times, the deal which was finalized late Aug. 27, allows Arthur T. Demoulas to acquire his cousin’s 50.5 percent stake in the company and reassume his former position as President and CEO of the retail chain.

“Words cannot express how much I appreciate each and every one of you,” Arthur T. Demoulas said in a statement to the thousands of employees and Market Basket customers who have spent the previous months protesting on his behalf. “You are simply the best...As I stand here, there is very little that I could ever add to your brilliant work, your extraordinary display of loyalty, and the power of your enduring spirit over the past several weeks.”

The Boston Globe, after speaking with many employees, noted a strong sense of relief and happiness among the Market Basket faithful.

“I feel like we won the lottery!” said Frank DiMauro, an Andover Market Basket warehouse worker and 28-year veteran with the company.

“We did,” agreed Andy Lien, Director of the Perishable Warehouse in Andover. “We really did.”

Having covered this story extensively since Arthur T. Demoulas’ initial firing this previous June, it is truly great news to see Market Basket finally putting this contentious period behind it and moving forward into a brighter, more peaceful future.

Even with Arthur T. back in control and customers and employees returning to the stores, challenges remain for the retailer. Months of barren shelves and negligible sales leave plenty of work to be done before Market Basket can justify the $3.2 billion valuation quoted in the New York Times on more than just potential.

Arthur T. Demoulas is confident however that Market Basket has the foundation in place to more than get back on track.

‘Shrinkflation’ at work in supermarketsBloomberg News

Inflation may be lurking in the aisles of supermarkets.

Even with price pressures tame to non-existent in the industrial world, economist Pippa Malmgren says they’re there if you look.

A former adviser to President George W. Bush, Malmgren is zeroing in on what’s come to be known as

“shrinkflation” -- where companies charge consumers the same, or more, for less. That may foreshadow an overall jump in prices, an alarm she’s been sounding for a while.

“Shrinking the size of goods is exactly what happened in the 1970s just before inflation proper set in,” she writes in her new book, “Signals: The Breakdown of the Social Contract and the Rise of Geopolitics.”

It also explains why people are so agitated by a higher cost of living, writes Malmgren, who founded London-based DRPM Group, a consulting firm.

Take the Dairy Milk bar produced by Mondelez International Inc.’s Cadbury unit. In 2011, the company lopped two squares of chocolate from the snack, holding the price unchanged. At the time, the company cited rising costs. Last year, it made the corners of the bar more rounded, reducing the weight.

The U.K. consumer group Which? turned up other examples in a study it conducted last year. It found boxes of Nestle SA (NESN)’s Shredded Wheat cereal had shrunk to 470 grams from 525 grams yet still cost 2.68 pounds ($4.45).

Just last month, Carlsberg A/S, the world’s fourth-largest brewer, said it’s putting less beer in some bottles in its Russian market and making others smaller there in what it called a bid to avoid raising prices.

Companies typically blame the moves on the rising cost of commodities and other ingredients.

Supervalu investigatesdata breachWall Street Journal

Supermarket chain Supervalu Inc. is investigating a potential data breach that might have affected more than 1,000 stores, according to people familiar with the situation, the latest attack against a big merchant in recent months.

The breach appears to have taken place in late June or early July and may have resulted from hackers installing malicious software onto the company’s point-of-sale network, these people said. That is the system that includes the cash register and terminals that handle credit card and debit card transactions.

Supervalu confirmed the breach in a press release and provided a list of the stores impacted between June 22 and July 17 on its website.

The investigation is in the early stages, the people said. It isn’t clear if hackers stole customer data on credit and debit cards, or how many people might have been affected.

Minneapolis-based Supervalu, which has 3,320 stores in all, hasn’t notified customers about the potential incident, said the people familiar with the matter. Merchants often don’t alert customers about breaches until they know the scope of the attack.

Supervalu had sales of roughly $17 billion last year. It is the seventh-largest U.S. grocery chain, with a 2.1 percent market share, and operates under brands such as Cub Foods, Farm Fresh and Save-A-Lot.

Meijer looks for 10,000 new hiresSupermarket NewsMeijer Inc. does not want to be

caught understaffed in the busy holiday season. The Midwest retailer expects to make 10,000 hires to gear up for the fall and winter and to support new stores.

“Meijer is always looking for good people,” EVP of operations Janet Emerson said in a media statement. “Our continued growth provides a great opportunity to find new team members who will help deliver on the Meijer promise of providing exceptional customer service.”

All of the chain’s stores are hiring, and the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer plans to make 4,800 hires in Michigan, 1,800 in Indiana, 1,700 in Ohio, 1,500 in Illinois and 1,000 in Kentucky. Meijer stores are open 24 hours and 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas.

The new employees will primarily be seasonal and part-time. Applicants can apply online or at an in-store kiosk.

Grocer comes to downtown RochesterTime Warner Cable News

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Hart’s Local Grocers, a new full-service grocery store, welcomed its first customers last month in Rochester’s East End as the new, full-service grocery store opened for business.

The former auto shop on Winthrop Street was transformed into an independent food retailer, with a focus on homegrown fruits, vegetables and dairy from smaller farms, with some located within a 50-mile radius of the store.

“Now I can come here and get everything in one place,” said Kim Gerstner, Victor resident. “They have Pittsford Dairy, there is the juices that I get. I love it.”

“I am just loving it right now, having a good time,” said Constance Kelly, Rochester resident.

The Hart’s name was once synonymous with groceries in Rochester, and this store has a nostalgic feel and look to it. Hart’s calls it “a touch of the past, with an eye on the future.”

“We are hoping to help improve the quality of life in downtown and we are in a vibrant neighborhood already and we are hoping to improve it even more and really make it a liveable, walkable city,” said Glenn Kellogg, Hart’s Local Grocers.

Hart’s carries everyday items on your grocery list, but also features products from 50 local vendors.

Core Report® September 2014

Retail ReviewNews from the retail marketing industry

By Molly [email protected]

It is exciting to walk into a store and see the new crop of New York apples gracing the produce sections.

It gives me a feeling of pride, mixed with nostalgia for the fall season seeing

the totes of apples waiting to be picked up and brought home. I also appreciate the many layers of hard work by so many d i f f e r e n t people to get those totes of apples into the retail stores.

I have been traveling a great deal continuing to set up promotional plans with retailers and I am happy to report the excitement

around this new crop once again this year. The retailers recognize the lack of energy in the apple section in the mid-summer months; imported apples and lackluster merchandising efforts for the end of last season’s crop makes for a great build-up for the new crop.

Retailers are excited about the quality of this new crop and the quantity of the varieties they are looking for. We are starting early with demos to get the consumers trying new varieties, or getting them back to their old favorites. We have coupons scheduled; in-store features lined up and are also planning new and innovative ways for the consumer to call out their favorite New York apples with in store promotions.

This is an exciting time of year for everything New York apples!

Please don’t forget to take a look at our newly redesigned website, www.nyapplecountry.com and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nyapples

September 2014 Core Report®

Core Report® is published monthly by the New York

Apple Associationas a member service.

New York Apple Assn.Contact

7645 Main St., Fishers, NY 14453-0350Phone: (585) 924-2171, Fax: (585) 924-1629www.nyapplecountry.com

StaffJames Allen, President, [email protected] Golden, Director of Marketing, [email protected] Willis, Executive & Communications AssistantCathy Jadus, Administrative & Retail AssistantEllen A. Mykins, Accounting Dept.John McAleavey, Northeast Account ManagerLinda Quinn, Nutrition SpokeswomanJulia Stewart, Public Relations Director and NYAA spokesperson, [email protected]

Board of DirectorsWill Gunnison, Chairman, District 1, Crown Point,(518) 597-3363, [email protected]

Jay Toohill, District 1, Chazy, 518-846-7171,[email protected]

Kenneth A. Migliorelli, District 2, Tivoli, (845) 757-3276,[email protected]

David Jones, District 2, Germantown, 518-537-6500,[email protected]

Kurt Borchert, District 3, Marlboro, 845-236-7239,[email protected]

Sarah Dressel, District 3, New Paltz,(845) 255-0693, [email protected]

Joseph Porpiglia III, Vice Chairman, District 3, Marlboro,(845) 236-4400, [email protected]

Jack Torrice, District 4, Oswego(315) 342-3793, [email protected]

Richard Endres, District 5, Sodus(315) 483-6815, [email protected]

Todd Furber, District 5, Sodus(315) 483-8529, [email protected]

Chris Hance, Treasurer, District 5, Pultneyville,(315) 589-4212, [email protected]

Abram Peters, District 5, Pultneyville,(585) 455-3600, [email protected]

Kevin Bittner, District 6, Barker, 716-795-3030,[email protected]

Kaari Stannard, District 6, Medina, 518-477-7200,[email protected]

Jason Woodworth, District 6, Waterport, 585-682-4749, [email protected]

President’s Message

By Jim [email protected]

Headlines in the Packer last month announced that McDonald’s is test marketing bananas in happy meals, along with blueberries, grapes

and Cutie Clementines, adding to their success with apple slices.

We all r e m e m b e r w h e n M c D o n a l d ’ s rolled out the first apple slice option for customers back in 2004, and in 2012

slices became a standard item in Happy Meals. Since 2012 more than 1.1 billion bags of apples have been distributed.

I am not sure how that converts to bushels or pounds except to say it has been a positive spike for the category and specifically the New York Empire apple. The addition of other fruit choices, while nutritionally speaking is for the good health of young consumers, could compete with our Empire market.

The question has to be, will the Happy Meal market grow because of additional choices, or will the other fruits cannibalize the apple volume. I expect the latter is more realistic, since everyone likes choices. If I put on my nutritional hat, and take off the apple cap, I admit that sourcing U.S. grown blueberries, grapes or clementines is slightly palatable. But inserting a fruit, bananas, that is 100 percent imported

is tougher to swallow. When we look at this announcement

and we bring the scenario closer to home, and admittedly from a self-serving and selfish position, we do not want to give up any market share for our apples, especially Empires.

The fresh slice market was a huge boom for New York apples, but Empires were the clear winner. The round, hard, excellent slicing white flesh and a great blend of sweet/tart apple provided slicers with a premium choice. It also provided growers and packers a new option for Empires. It is a win–win and importantly a win for Happy Meal eaters!

With this said, I have to believe that in no way is the addition of other options by McDonald’s an indication of dissatisfaction with apples; but more of offering choices. After all, 1.1 billion consumers have proved that the apple dippers were a success.

We all are uncomfortably aware of the increase of childhood obesity, childhood Type 2 diabetes, and the “slowing down” of our youth. We are also aware of the expanding ‘food deserts’ in urban America, where it is harder to find fresh fruits and vegetables than locating water in Death Valley. More than once it has been said that the only source for fresh fruits and vegetables in the inner cities, is in fact McDonald’s and other Quick Service Restaurants (QSR).

But of course we know that QSRs are in the business to make money, and that is called Big Mac, Barn Buster, Whopper and Fries!

Fresh apples in Happy Meals were

Jim Allen

Branching Out

Crop’s time to shine

Molly Golden

Mickey D’s going bananas

Molly

New York Apple Association staff: Front row, from left — Ellen Mykins, Molly Golden. Back row — Jim Allen, Cathy Jadus, Joan Willis.

See Allen, Page 15


Harvesting random thoughtsBy Paul BakerNYS Horticultural Society

Hard to believe but harvest is here and gone are the “lazy” days of summer.

I will once again be assisting in harvest so I can attempt to remain somewhat credible with all that each of you must confront 24/7. I have had the advantage of reviewing the last survey that we asked you each to complete on harvest activities in the last year. I thought it might be interesting to share in no particular order some observations from that survey with you.

We hear so much about how onerous it is to be in the H2a program. The fact is, of those that responded, 48 percent employ their harvest help via this system. No surprise; but 29 percent of the total employees that help us pick our apples are from Jamaica, while 16 percent are from Mexico as a result of this program. The majority of harvest help (52 percent) arrives here by traditional means. The percentage

of H2a is in fact growing each year.

S e c o n d l y I found it interesting that when asked, 74 percent of the farms do not use a crew leader. This seems to be a trend moving

away from the traditional use of a crew leader. I think as we see more help coming from abroad we will see more needs for English skills becoming a requirement. As more help comes from Hispanic sources and a decline in crew leaders, this will become more of an issue.

The average apple farm in 2013 employed 43 employees. Our survey recorded groups ranging from less than 20 employees (52 percent) on up to more than 100 employees (13 percent). This should be an important number as the burning issue not only here in New York but nationally is jobs.

It is a proven fact that many New York jobs are directly tied to the fact that we have 30 million bushels of apples grown, harvested, stored and packed here in the Empire State. We need to stress this relationship when we are confronted by policy issues that might tend to discourage the apple business here in New York. In short it is very good for all of New York that we raise apples here.

Our idea of the best home for our apples remains as diverse as the people who grow them. While clearly fresh is a growing category there remains other avenues for marketing our crop. Only 1 percent of those responding stated that process was the only plan for marketing their crop. Over a quarter (26 percent) said that they planned to fresh every apple on their farm.

The slice market has now risen to be a stand-alone category for New York apples. The greatest majority of New York growers feel they have viable outlets to move their crop to either the fresh or process/slice market. This remains a huge advantage for

our industry and we need to continue to value this diversity in marketing options.

Worker experience seemed to be a topic that today’s operation had no problem in stating what they required. When polled, 65 percent said they required some previous experience for every task from tree planting to harvest.

I found it very interesting that while many farms seem to be moving away from paying exclusively by piece, they have definite minimum daily requirements. Based upon a 8.5 hour day, farms required the following minimum production:

Drop apples, 160 bushelsFresh stem clipping, 80 bushelsFresh spot pick, 90 bushelsFresh pick, 113 bushelsProcess,140 bushelsAlong with this, employers expect

employees to be able to climb a ladder (88 percent) and be physically able

The Hort ReportNews from the New York State Horticultural Society

Baker

See Baker, Page 14


Opinion

Growing regulatory burden comingfor agricultural employers?Frank A. Gasperini, Jr.National Council of Ag Employers

We have all been waiting to see if our predictions that the White House would speed up their regulatory agenda in their last two years in office would

come true.W i t h

c o n t i n u e d Congressional road-blocks, we have expected to see the President move to more administrative action in order to accomplish his goals and build his legacy.

Administrative actions can go both ways, and agriculture has benefitted from some administrative reductions of “enforcement priorities” in the past.

Our current concern has been that this administration may actively, or by allowing agencies to liberally interpret their rules and enforcement priorities, continue to add regulations, enforcement actions, and reporting requirements that will make U.S. domestic food production increasingly less competitive.

Last month, “The Hill,” a widely respected Washington, D.C., political policy news group had an article titled, “Obama Hits the Gas on Regs.”

http://thehill .com/regulation/pending-regs/215809-obama-hits-the-gas-on-regs (Aug. 23).

Here is a quote from that article: “Groups that closely follow regulations

are expecting the Obama administration to continue issuing controversial rules through the midterm elections, despite the political risk it could pose for Democrats. … With time running out on President Obama’s second term, federal agencies are hitting the gas on a number of regulatory initiatives that are central to the White House’s “go-it-alone” agenda.”

This is exactly what we have been predicting and working together with other associations to push Congress to take actions so these actions might be mitigated. We, your associations, have also been meeting regularly with the various regulatory agencies trying to offer sound stakeholder input to try to steer them away from actions that will encourage more of our food production to be done in other countries.

Then, a few days later, right on cue, we received a ‘heads-up’ that OSHA is making specific plans to look more deeply into agricultural operations by “clarifying” what they consider to be exempt agricultural operations. It is always frightening when we read that an enforcement agency has “clarified” their interpretation of the rules.

The new OSHA “clarification,” quietly published on July 29, 2014, may sweep in many of our readers who are working to add value to their family farming operations. In fact this new direction by OSHA will pose challenges to the entire “farm to table” concept that is growing so rapidly. The most out-front target based on the written report from OSHA appears to be the apple industry, at least those of you who do any direct sales and/or make cider.

The document is clear that any food

processing or production like cider, baked goods, do fall under OSHA and are open to inspection and compliance action. Since such a large percentage of apple growers do participate in some form of direct marketing, and/or other value-added production today

you will need to prepare for more OSHA oversight. Here is the link to the OSHA clarification as published in the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA website: https://www.osha.gov/dep/enforcement/policy_clarification_small_farms.html

Additional areas of administrative or regulatory agency action we are watching based on potential impact to agriculture include energy policies, transportation and infrastructure, pesticide policies including Worker Protection Standard rules that we recently commented on, and water issues. Hang on to your hats, lame duck or not, this ride will not be over until 2017, if then.

The author is Executive Vice President of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. NCAE is the national trade association representing Agricultural Employers in Washington, D.C. Visit NCAE’s website at www.NCAEonline.org for more information and continuing updates.

Gasperini

Core Report® is online at: http://www.nyapplecountry.com/industry/core-report?

‘With time running

out on President Obama’s second term, federal agencies are hitting the gas on regulatory initiatives.’

— Frank Gasperini,President, NCAE


This New York Apple Association advertise-ment appeared in the September issue of Pro-duce News.

Branching out to the trades


This New York Apple Association advertise-ment appeared in the September issue of Pro-duce Business.

Sell-a-brate good times


Apples, apples; try them, buy themEditor’s Note: This month, Core

Report® runs the last of a four-part series reprinted from the 2013 Annual Yearbook of the Dutchess County Historical Society. If you would like more information about the society or the Hart-Hubbard collection, e-mail Melodye Moore at [email protected]. See part one online at: www.nyapplecountry.com/core.htm

By Melodye MooreDutchess County Historical Society

This month we conclude our series on the Hart-Hubbard Collection with excerpted material from the “History of the New York and New England Institute” about the organization’s educational activities.

Apple EducationIt early became evident that three

vital factors must operate in marketing a product: the retailer must have the article for sale; he must know its uses

and its values and must want to get consumers to buy; the consumers must so keenly desire the article that they will search for it, demand it, and encourage its presence in the stores in variety and condition.

The first two prerequisites were attacked through contacts with the chain store national organization; the heads of the individual companies; the individual; the individual store managers and their clerks; also through the national and local independent grocers associations; and by calling upon individual stores, putting up

display material and furnishing recipe folders.

Attempts to reach the consumer were made through newspaper advertisements, publicity in newspaper food columns, radio food broadcasts, food shows, blossom festivals and any means available to our agents, our staff or our members.

There was apparent a sad lack of information as to the health value, the food value, the characteristics and best uses, how to select apples when buying them and the best methods of caring for and keeping apples in the home.

It seemed to the education chairman in 1939 that the most effective way to blanket the population with such information could be to prepare it for use by the teachers of every home economics class in the area, especially in New York State where the chairman was in close touch with and close by the state departments at Albany.

Apple Poster Contest

As a corollary to the school project, an apple poster contest was run in the schools. In this project all art teachers were supplied with copies of three apple posters which the chairman had developed and used in his and Institute canvassing of stores.

Their display in the schools had value.

Twenty-eight teachers entered their classes in a contest for the best apple posters submitted. The first prize was a lovely poster. It was sent to all art teachers for display.”

In 1960 when E. Stuart Hubbard completed editing his “History of the New York and New England Apple Institute 1935 -1960” he was optimistic about the future success of eastern apples. He concluded his history by saying:

“We come of age this coming year. Surely our stalwart body, trained and tried, can swell its chest, flex its muscles and shout a Tarzan cry of joy of living and of confidence in our ability to master any of the beasts of the Jungle. Our sober, humble conscience can guide us on to greater achievements in the years of our maturity.”

His beloved Institute survived until 1994 when it dissolved and the eastern New York growers and New York Apple Growers Association unified to create the New York Apple Association. Although not as numerous as in years past, Dutchess County and Hudson Valley apple growers remain important contributors to the economic success of the area.

This success has been bolstered by a better educated public that values fresh local produce. E. Stuart Hubbard understood and championed this premise throughout his entire career as an apple grower and probably he would be championing the cause were he here today.

The Hubbard papers that William Hall Hart and E. Stuart Hubbard saved are rich with endless research possibilities.

As we pore through the documents they are certain to enlighten us about the history of apple growing in Dutchess County and an important story can finally be told.

The winning entry of the Apple Poster Contest submitted by Betty Torpy, Lancaster High.

There was apparent a sad lack of information as to the health value, the food value, the characteristics and best uses, how to select apples when buying them and the best methods for keeping apples in the home.


By Julia Stewart [email protected]

New York Apple Association’s public relations efforts to create buzz for this

year’s state apple crop are already y i e l d i n g fruit (pun intended).

Over the past month, NYAA spokespersons h a v e c o n d u c t e d n u m e r o u s i n t e r v i e w s with local and trade media

outlets with one goal in mind: spread the good news about this year’s crop, to build market demand.

Focusing on consumer message

During each interview with a consumer media outlet, we focus on delivering NYAA’s key messages about the consumer benefits of this year’s crop. We describe how excellent growing conditions throughout the growing season are now resulting in large, juicy fruit with high levels of natural sugars.

We report that New York apple fans will find plentiful supplies of their favorite varieties, from newcomers to old favorites. And we urge New Yorkers to buy local; because we are the largest apple-producing state east of the Mississippi River, they need look no further than their backyard for great apples.

We also tell reporters about the revamped NYAppleCountry.com, redesigned with our apple fans in mind including new locator maps,

an extensive apple variety guide and a huge recipe collection. And we’ve enlisted reporters’ help in getting the word out that we are crowdsourcing recipe photos.

In the last month, we have given interviews to media outlets in areas including (in alphabetical order) Albany, the Hudson Valley, Ithaca, Rochester and Utica. Our harvest announcement news was even picked up in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, NYAA Consulting Dietitian Linda Quinn, MS, RD, CDN, is booking appearances on local television talk shows across the state. Her telegenic good looks and

bubbly presentation style make her a tremendous industry asset.

Reachingthe retail trade

Our messages about the 2014 crop are also reaching the retail trade, to encourage them to support New York state apples. Through interviews with produce trade press, we let retailers know that we have a plentiful, clean crop and ample supplies of the varieties their customers want.

In the last month alone, the New York state apple crop has been profiled in (in

alphabetical order) AndNowUKnow.com, Grocery Headquarters, The Packer, Produce Business, and The Produce News.

What’s nextYour NYAA PR team will continue to

release news and conduct interviews throughout the fall and into the winter, promoting pick-your-own outings and New York cider, and positioning apples as the perfect food for occasions from back to school to year-end holidays. Watch this column for monthly updates on our work to help you sell New York apples.

‘Encore’ state crop making headlines

By Julia [email protected]

This is the seventh column in a series designed to help you grow your New York state apple business with public relations. Read previous columns at www.nyapplecountry.com/industry/core-report.

Consumers eat New York state apples and apple products first and foremost because they taste great and we grow the varieties they love. So to use a songwriting analogy, the first verse you should sing to customers and potential customers is about your delicious offerings.

As a second verse, consider focusing on nutrition and health.

Once a consumer has made a decision to eat a food, then she looks for evidence to support that decision and feel good about her choice. (Face it, when it comes to food we make

more irrational than rational choices. For example, the rational me sees no reason for Harris Teeter’s chocolate cinnamon fudge ice cream to exist, but the irrational me is really glad it does.)

Being able to point to the health benefits of a food she’s already chosen makes our consumer very, very happy. Fortunately, we’ve got a lot to talk about when it comes to the health benefits of apples and apple cider. And here in New York state, we have a tremendous asset to help us talk about apple health benefits in our Consulting Dietitian, Linda Quinn, MS, RD, CDN.

For help talking to consumers about apple health benefits, check out the Nutrition section of our recently-overhauled NYAppleCountry.com. It’s chock full of information about the nutrients in apples, and their potential health benefits. You can also read about the latest apple research news.

When talking to consumers about

health and nutrition, keep it positive. Help them celebrate making a healthy choice; apples are the great-tasting food that is great for them, too. Don’t try to guilt them into eating healthfully; no one likes a nanny.

Also be careful not to make unfounded claims. Federal law actually defines the types of nutrient claims (“high fiber”, “low fat”) and health claims (“reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease”) that can be made about a food based on its Nutrition Facts box. For guidance, check out the language we’ve used in our Nutrition section.

Apples honestly earned their position as the icon of health. We should sing apples’ health praises loud and clear.

P.S. What about the chorus? That’s where you tell your company’s unique story, woven into and repeated throughout your song.

Stewart

PR Theory

Singing apples’ healthy praises

Produce industry committed to schoolsUnited Fresh

WASHINGTON, D.C. — United Fresh past board member Phil Muir, president and CEO of Muir Copper Canyon Farms, Salt Lake City, Utah, pledged support and cooperation

to schools as they serve more fresh fruits and vegetables in meals during a hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee this summer.

Muir told lawmakers that his company provides fresh fruits and

vegetables to 52 school districts in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, serving a total of 450,000 students, and that he is finding schools doing a great job of boosting fruit and vegetable consumption in their meal programs.

“The produce industry is committed and stands ready to support school food service directors in successfully implementing the new fruit and vegetable requirements,” Muir said.

“There are produce suppliers all over the country who are just as passionate and committed to supporting schools as I am.”

Congress will be reauthorizing child nutrition programs in 2015. July’s Senate hearing explored how schools are meeting healthier nutrition standards as required by the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.

In his testimony, Muir illustrated how schools are successfully serving more fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Schools that were proactive in improving the healthfulness of school meals early on, made incremental changes, and offered

See United, Page 15


Nicholson takes over as chairmanof U.S. Apple AssociationBy Jim [email protected]

CHICAGO — Last month, Mark Nicholson of Red Jacket Orchards assumed the role as Chairman of the Vienna, Va., based U.S. Apple Association.

Mark is replacing Chris Britton of California. Mark is following an impressive list of past chairs from New York.

Most recent was John Teeple, preceded by Jeff Christ, and going back some years, George Lamont and Paul Baker to name just a few.

The one-year term is a culmination of three years in the officer rotation, starting first as secretary then moving through the vice chairman to the chairman position.

The balance of the New York delegation consists of directors, Lee Peters and Kaari Standard. Jim Allen sits on a number of committees, such as State Executive Committee, Education, Government Affairs and Crises Communications.

The gavel was passed to Mark at the Aug. 23 Board of Directors meeting held in Chicago. Each year USApple meets immediately following the Apple Outlook Conference held annually in Chicago.

As chairman, Mark will help direct the duties of USApple that include government affairs, education which includes consumer outreach and public affairs, and industry information services.

The Nicholson family has a long history of serving the industry in leadership roles. Joe Nicholson sat on the USApple Board of Trustees as well as the New York Apple Association board for a number of years; and Mark’s twin, Brian, served on the NYAA board for six years, serving as chairman for one year.

Mark’s climb to this leadership role is especially meaningful, since a number of years ago Mark was on the USApple staff prior to returning to the family farm operation. Mark lives in Virginia and manages sales for Red Jacket Orchards out of his home. Mark is married and has two children. Welcome, Mr. Chairman!

Mark Nicholson, right, receives the gavel from Chris Britton

New York has strong leadership and representation at the U.S. Apple Association.

Presently sitting on the board from New York are Karri Stannard of New York Apple Sales, Lee Peters of Fowler Farms and of course Chairman Mark Nicholson.

New York Apple Association President Jim Allen, as a State Executive, attends all meetings; but only one State Executive is appointed to the board yearly.

This year, Diane Smith from Michigan Apple Committee is the State Executive board member. She succeeds Todd Fryhover from Washington Apple Commission.

New York’s USApple delegation

From left, Lee Peters, Mark Nicholson, Jim Allen and Kaari Stannard

‘Packer’ Man of the Year known for his optimismBy Chris KogerThe Packer

CHICAGO — Although he’s known for growing apples and peaches, it could be said that Henry Chiles is very familiar with lemons.

As in: When life gives him lemons, he makes lemonade.

Chiles, who grows more than 1,700 acres of fruit, including 20 varieties of apples, at Batesville, Va.-based Crown Orchard Co., is the 2014 Packer Apple Man of the Year. A common theme in nominations for the award, given Aug. 21 at the annual U.S. Apple Association Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, is Chiles’ positive outlook when others have given up hope.

“I have never met anybody that has more passion for the industry and for what he does for a living than Henry

Chiles,” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association. “He’s such an optimistic person. When things look the worst, Henry has a way of saying … don’t worry about it, we can

make it happen, we can make it work.”One nominee referred to Chiles’

“boundless energy.”“He has spent countless hours working

on industry committees, speaking at industry functions and traveling on trade missions … He is a forward-thinking, promotion-minded industry icon,” he wrote in the nomination.

Dubbed “Mr. Positive” by another nominee, Chiles has been involved in leadership roles with the U.S. Apple Association, the U.S. Apple Export Council, the National Peach Council, and his state’s horticultural society.

Tom Karst, national editor of The Packer, presented the award to Chiles, saying he’s “never afraid to try something new, even if his approach doesn’t always work out.”

Chiles expressed surprise and

thanked the people in the industry for their support.

“I really love the industry and love all the people here,” he said. “Then main thing about this industry is you’ve got a bunch of nice people. This is a great honor and I appreciate it.”

At 78, Chiles is still involved in the business that started with his grandfather, and is now its fifth generation of operation. He learned the growing and packing sides of the business before attending college, returning home to help manage the orchards when his father died.

Other than a stint in the Army in the 1950s, Chiles has remained at Crown Orchard, where he “has created a unique and unforgettable imprint on his fellow professionals in the apple and tree fruit industry,” Karst said.

The Packer’s National Editor Tom Karst, left, gives Henry Chiles of Crown Orchard Co. the Packer Apple Man of the Year Award for his work in the industry.


Anna Bullett will extoll apples’ virtues on a series of radio interviews.

USApplegets falleducation promotionscookingBy Wendy BrannenU.S. Apple Association

VIENNA, Va. — As part of its fall education outreach, the U.S. Apple Association will conduct a radio media tour (RMT) to reach parents and push apple nutrition messaging and

usage tips applicable to s c h o o l - a g e children.

The list of potential spokespeople is long—who doesn’t want

to extoll the benefits of apples?—but after considering qualifications and personalities of those available, I have selected Anna Bullett, MS RD, executive chef at very popular Cooking Light magazine, to lead the interviews, scheduled next month during National Apple Month. Bullett is a registered dietitian with extensive culinary expertise, a belief in the power of family meals, and a pleasant personality—perfect for our objectives during this project.

At times, we tell you what we’re doing but don’t take the time to explain. An RMT is a series of back-to-back radio interviews using a chosen spokesperson. Local radio stations throughout the country are offered the opportunity to interview a subject matter expert in either a live or live-to-tape format via phone from any location. Companies or organizations like USApple are tasked with convincing the stations they have a legitimate “angle,” or point of public interest, in which their listeners will be interested.

By scheduling multiple interviews—around 10 minutes each—during a two- to four-hour window, we will be able to book multiple radio stations in a short time span for a limited cost. Bullett will be able to conduct the interviews from her home or office in New York City instead of flying to multiple spots and incurring large travel expenses for us.

RMTs also allow the host greater control over their product messaging, as the spokesperson typically works off scripted message points. As soon as I finish writing this article, I’ll be drafting copy points for Bullett to use to help her

See PROMOTION, Page 14

NYAA on airBy Mike CassidyMason Marketing

The 2014-15 traditional consumer advertising campaign is under way.

Radio and television commercials are running throughout upstate New York.

The radio effort will be running in the peak apple-picking season during September and October, and the television commercials are running from September through November, and will pick up again in January and February 2015.

The radio campaign will include a series of “live” radio remotes at some of New York State’s most popular apple festivals. The television commercials running include “From Blossom to Awesome,” and a spot that features Abby Wambach, women’s soccer all-

time international goal scorer and Upstate New York native.

Here is a listing of where you’ll see and hear NYAA commercials:

TELEVISIONAlbany/Schenectady/Troy• WTEN (ABC) • WRGB (CBS)• WNYT (NBC) • WXXA (FOX)• Time Warner CableBuffalo•WKBW (ABC) • WIVB (CBS)• WGRZ (NBC) • Time Warner Cable

Poughkeepsie/Newburgh• Time Warner CableRochester• WHAM (ABC) • WROC (CBS)• WHEC (NBC)• Time Warner CableSyracuse• WSYR (ABC) • WTVH (CBS)• WSTM (NBC) • WSYT (FOX)• Time Warner Cable

RADIOAlbany• WGNA • WFLYBuffalo• WYRK • WTSSBurlington, Vt.• WEZF • WOKOPoughkeepsie• WRWD • WPKF

By Joan [email protected]

At the New York Apple Association booth at The Great New York State Fair this year, NYAA once again teamed up with the Syracuse chapter of the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research, as well as raise consumer awareness of the health benefits of apples and apple products.

Apple growers, apple industry members and ACS volunteers donated their time to help staff our booth at the fair.

Together, we collected more than $10,000 in donations for the ACS. All proceeds are used for cancer research and other cancer related programs in the Syracuse area. In the 15 years we have partnered with ACS, together we have raised more than $129,000 for cancer research and services provided to cancer victims and/or their family members.

The Paula Red apples, the fresh pressed cider and the individual applesauce (donated by Mott’s) were available to fairgoers in exchange for a small donation to the ACS. Comments received by fairgoers ranged from “most refreshing,” “I stop by here every year.” “it’s our favorite stop,” “best deal at the fair.” “finally, something good for the kids to snack on,” “healthiest food on the grounds,” to “it’s great that the apple industry is raising money for our local ACS.”

We had a wide array of numerous volunteers; some through ACS, some through the New York apple industry, and others were friends of the NYAA staff. NYAA would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the following people for volunteering their valuable time and effort:

Apple industry volunteersJuli & Mike Bixby – K.M. DaviesMike CassidyJane Cook – J.H. VerbridgeDan Cook – K.M. Davies

Pat LaBarberaLaura & Mike Martino – Honey Hill

OrchardJill MarefkaGary & Kate Orbaker – Orbaker

Fruit FarmsLinda & John Teeple – Teeple FarmsFred Schwarting, Jim Sims, Gordon

Tripp, & Tina Vincent – Owen Orchards

ACS VolunteersAndrea AquinoJeff BastableDon BoshartAndy ChickShelly CopenhaverStephanie D’AmicoMeghann HanceBruce HathawayBarb RomeuMartha RyanAdriana SeronoLisa Sharp

Thanks again to everyone …. we couldn’t have done it without you!

Marshall Allen, Jill Marefka, Courtney Jadus and Saray Marefka work in the NYAA booth at The Great New York State Fair.

Fair success for NYAA, ACS

See Air, Page 16

By Linda Quinn, MS, RD, CDNAs apple season rolls out, August

was a busy month for me starting with the Video Project for New York Apple Association.

This year we worked on five videos that will be ready for the fall season on our Youtube page.

I took your suggestions at the Winter Board Meeting and included kids, kids and more kids in the videos.

There is a video on making a sugar free apple sauce, cooking with kids, apples and sports, and much, much more.

The video crew we worked with this year was very creative so I look forward to some fantastic videos.

The end of August brought The Great New York State Fair and I went on two local television stations touting the benefits of apples and encouraged viewers to get out and buy our apples.

On WSYR with longtime anchor Carrie Lazarus I spoke about the “special benefits of apples for women.” Carrie and I laughed and she wanted me to tell the growers that apple sales will skyrocket after that broadcast.


Putting the pedal to the metalBy John McAleavey

As we predicted, the stone fruit season ended a little sooner than normal.

Therefore, the opening is there to get the valuable retail display space and get off to a strong and aggressive start for the fall season. Also, Washington did not come in as aggressive early on as some had thought.

This is New York apple season and we are off and running to a very good start. We should stay ahead of the West on pricing from the beginning.

As we all know, the price differential is very important. Labor Day week shows that New York early crop varieties are

being advertised at $1.29, while New York regular items retail at $1.49. This reflects quite favorably to Washington which is at $1.99.

Between the freight factor and our pricing, we should have the

room we need to reflect a retail price advantage that we want. Multiple varieties will help secure extra display space. Bins/totes and secondary

displays will give us exposure and enable the consumer to make a regular as well as an impulse purchase.

“Buy local” signage and ad activity will further advance the volume we want early in the season.

The Back to School season and marketing hype around it always helps apple sales too. For example, many retailers in their POS material show school supplies, old-fashioned schoolhouses and apples

Don’t forget that it is a good idea for students to put a shiny New York apple on their teacher’s desk at the start of each and every new school year as well.

Good selling and here’s to fall.

McAleavey

Changeis madeto state’struck lawBy Lisa A. [email protected]

Last month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill that amends New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law as it relates to a vehicle’s fitness for crossing certain bridges, extending the date for retrofitting compliance from December of this year to Dec. 31, 2019.

Previously, the law mandated “infrastructure-friendly vehicle requirements” meant to reduce the adverse impacts heavy trucks can have on roads and bridges. Specifically, this law is concerned with R-posted bridges, which are bridges that, based on design or condition, do not have the reserve capacity to accommodate most vehicles over legal weights, but can still safely carry legal weights. These bridges are identified with signage stating “No Trucks with R Permits.”

The purpose of the proposed retrofitting is to better distribute loads that are divisible. A “divisible load” is defined as any cargo being carried which can be separated into units of legal weight without affecting the physical integrity of the load. Examples of divisible loads include: aggregate (sand, top soil, gravel, stone), logs, scrap metal, fuel, milk, trash/refuse/garbage, etc.

A “non-divisible load” is one piece or item which cannot be separated into units of less weight without affecting the physical integrity of the load. Examples of non-divisible loads include, but are not limited to single poles, girders, columns, wood or metal trusses, buildings, houses.

By statute, a non-divisible load includes bulk milk, coiled steel, transformers, wind farms and sealed shipping containers. (Non-divisible loads are permitted by the Special Hauling Permit Unit.)

In recognition of the fact that retrofitting trucks prior to model year 2006 would be expensive, these vehicles were given an exemption until Dec. 31, 2014, when partial retrofitting would be required, after which time all necessary upgrades would have to be completed by the end of 2019.

Recognizing that it was both impractical and financially unfeasible to partially upgrade a vehicle, or, in some cases, a fleet of vehicles, only to have to perform a full upgrade five years later, or find at that time that your vehicles are obsolete and should be replaced, legislation was introduced to extend the time for all deadlines to the end of 2019. This five-year-period

See Truck, Page 14

Apple season rolls out

Beef Council launches school nutrition social media campaignNew York Beef Council

School nutrition professionals work hard to offer nutritious school meals to kids every day.

School kids receive the important nutrients to fuel their growing bodies and learning needs from their school lunches.

How many parents know about this? Does the community know about this? Those were the questions posed to us by Dennis Barrett, executive corrector of NYC SchoolFood.

This fall, New York Beef Council helps the parents learn the nutrition benefit of the lunches their kids eat at school. The “NY School Meals That Rock” promotion is a social media and email campaign to promote school lunch nutrition to the parents in New York City. The “NY School Meals That Rock” social media promotion campaign will run for 2 weeks from Sept. 21 to Oct. 4. It will kick off with a Facebook promotion in NYC.

By engaging with the promotion, parents will learn valuable information about their kids’ school lunch nutrition. Parents can access the campaign on http://bit.ly/NYschoolmeals. Information can be found on www.nybeef.org or Dayle Hayes’ School Meals That Rock Facebook page.

Led by New York Beef Council, this initiative is funded and supported by six major commodities in New York, representing the five major food groups of a nutritiously-balanced school meal. They are: American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Empire State Potato Growers, New York

Apple Association, New York Beef Council, New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association and New York State Vegetable Growers Association.

The “NY School Meals That Rock” partnership also includes Dayle Hayes, RD, who is a dedicated advocate of healthy school lunches and is a good friend to the school nutrition community. Many of you are familiar with Dayle’s School Meals That Rock Facebook page with over 8,600 fans!

This promotion initiative, if proven successful, can potentially be replicated to benefit other school districts. Please help spread the word of this promotion in your newsletters, email and social media. Do you have a delicious school lunch photo of beef entrée or other food commodities mentioned above? Send them to Dayle at [email protected] or post to Schools Meals That Rock Facebook page. Please contact Jean O’Toole at [email protected] for questions about this promotion.

Sample Facebook posts “Did you know every school lunch offers at least two

servings of fruits and vegetables? Parents can find out the nutritious scoop on why New York school meals rock at http://bit.ly/NYschoolmeals. Spread the word.”

NYAA Dietician Linda Quinn appears on YNN News, above, and WSYR of Syracuse at The Great New York State Fair.

See Quinn, Page 15

See Social, Page 15


SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2014The Washington ConferenceUnited Fresh Produce AssociationHyatt Regency Wash. on Capitol HillWashington, D.C.

OCTOBER 17-10, 2014PMA Fresh Summit ExpoAnaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, Calif.

NOVEMBER 2, 2014TCS NYC MarathonNew York City

DECEMBER 2-4, 2014New York Produce Show & ConferenceNew York City

DECEMBER 8-9, 2014NYAA Board of Directors MeetingSheraton Syracuse University HotelSyracuse

DECEMBER 9-11, 2014NY Farm Bureau State Annual MeetingRochester

Calendar

Angry Orchards expandingThe Mid-Hudson Times

Angry Orchards, a hard cider company owned by Boston Beer Company, is hoping to make a home for themselves in the town of Montgomery — specifically on a 60-acre orchard on Albany Post Road.

“It’s a great usage for that property,” said Montgomery Planning Board member John Lynch.

The property, Crist Orchards, is zoned agricultural and has a conditional preliminary approval for a 16-lot single-family subdivision dating back to 2007.

“The subdivision wasn’t what we really wanted,” said Jeffrey Crist, owner and operator of the orchard, stating he was pleased with the new proposal and hopes the “project comes to fruition, so to speak.”

Crist said he was pleased that the property would retain an agricultural use, after being considered for a residential development.

According to Sarah Gillis, Senior Brand Manager for Angry Orchards, the company wants to make the site in Montgomery their home base, establishing a research and

development center with a small retail aspect, in addition to preserving and cultivating the existing orchard, which covers nearly every inch of the property.

The facility will not be a manufacturing plant.

“It works really well for our purposes,” said Gillis, saying they chose the site for its apple growing history and its geographic location to their market.

The company intends to build a single two-level structure in the middle of the property, measuring 15,000

square feet. It would be stepped into the hill so that the top floor is flush with the height of the hill and hidden from Albany Post Road.

The ground floor would house the research and development aspect, where they will experiment with different types of apples and processes to produce new ciders (5 percent alcohol).

Gillis said they will plant experimental trees on approximately two acres and maintain the approximately 6-7 types of apple trees currently in the orchard.

Niagara County farm grows apples with ‘Pazazz’Buffalo News

BURT — An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but the same apple every day may eventually keep the consumer away.

That’s why Niagara County’s apple growers are continually looking for something new and different in the fruit orchard - and some of them think they’ve found it.

A new variety of apple, the “Pazazz,” has been planted in a few local orchards in the last two years. When the trees start to bear fruit next year, this arrival in the cornucopia is expected to put a little more zing in the apple biz.

Russell Farms, one of the area’s largest growers, is proceeding with plans to construct a giant new $3.32 million controlled-atmosphere storage building on its Transit Road property.

By 2017, President Peter Russell

said, the expectation is that the 36,400-square-foot building will be crammed with some 200,000 bushels a year of Pazazz apples, all grown in Niagara, Orleans and other counties along Lake Ontario.

The 2015 crop will be small, as the trees are just starting to mature. Things will pick up in 2016, and by 2017 production should be going full bore.

Steve Riessen, president of Sun Orchard Fruit Co., the packing business on Transit Road, said the Pazazz is just the latest apple in a long line of newly developed varieties that, farmers hope, will tempt palates that might be a little bored with the standard apple varieties such as MacIntosh, Cortland and Empire.

“There’s no question: Everything changes,” Riessen said. “The reason why (new varieties) are there is, they’re

better than the old ones. The old ones still have their appeal, but you’ve got to have a wow factor when you go to market.”

Pazazz apples are supposed to be juicier than most varieties, but the word in the business is that unlike most apples, a Pazazz doesn’t taste its best right off the tree.

“It’s got a very complex flavor,” Riessen said. “You’d probably store it a month before selling it.”

“I’m sure it’s got some Honeycrisp parentage,” Russell said of the new variety, which was developed by Honeybear Brands. The company’s website touts its flavor as similar to Honeycrisp, but there’s a key difference.

Honeycrisp apples are popular, but

Russell said, “We have a hard time storing them for more than a month.”

“Every week in storage, it loses a wee little bit and a wee little bit and a wee little bit,” Riessen said of Honeycrisp apples. But Pazazz will improve in storage, in much the same way a Red Delicious does.

“When picked, it’s a little acidic, a little starchy,” Riessen said of Red Delicious. “In storage, the starch is converted to sugar. ... It’s a lot better now than when it was delivered off the tree.”

That’s the game plan with Pazazz. “For a premium apple, it’s unusual,” Riessen said.

“I’m one of 12 or 14 growers that will be growing this apple in Niagara, Orleans and Wayne counties,” Russell said.


each year until the USDA releases their August apple estimate; then the industry meets and comes up with their number. USDA predicted 259,248, while USApple raised the number to 263,804.

In July, USDA released the final number for the 2013-14 crops, by state. They totally missed the New

York number for last year by likely 10 million bushels, reporting a mere 24,286. Without any explanation, the number stands, which skews the reports for this year.

Based on the incorrect number, the report states that New York is up 23 percent over last year from 24,286 to 29,762. The reality is that we are most likely down 15-18 percent from last year’s record crop. If you remove 2012 and last year’s wrong number, over the last eight years New York’s average is just more than 30 million bushels.

Thirty million now seems to be the norm or starting point each season, and new bearing surface, new plantings and higher yields, along with the weather become the decreasing or increasing trends.

While arriving at an exact number is impossible, one thing is for sure; the USDA method of counting could not be any further from being accurate.

By the way, for what it’s worth, based on last year’s USDA number New York was number three in apple production, behind a boasting Michigan.

CropContinued from Page 1

to carry on average 48 pounds in performing their routines (72 percent). In doing this the industry is asking for a very high standard of excellence (56 percent have a zero tolerance for

bruising).Clearly this is a job that not everyone

is physically able to perform. I think these facts help make our case that we need every tool at our disposal to field a capable harvest staff.

As you work your way into harvest, be aware that your peers have very specific standards of job performance. You need to be fair, but you need not

be ashamed that you are asking too much.

By each of you filling out these surveys we now have the data to support our claims that we most definitely do need a large seasonal yet physically able work force to harvest 30 million bushels in less than two months.

Let’s hope Mother Nature and Uncle Sam leave us alone to do just that.

BakerContinued from Page 4

steer the interview conversation. These will be short, informative talking points about how parents can create healthy snacks and lunches using apples and why apples are so healthy for kids.

RMTs generate results in both mid- and large-city radio markets, typically to the tune of several million listeners. And, the results are easy to quantify. While we cannot tell you exactly where or when all these interviews will take place ahead of time, we will be able to share where the interviews aired and to how many people after the tour concludes.

PromotionContinued from Page 11

will enable companies to decide the method that best fits its needs, helps avoid undue financial hardship, and allows more time to save and plan for the capital necessary to either retrofit or replace vehicles.

Loading and load securement are vitally important when transporting goods in New York. New York Farm Bureau’s publication Farmer’s Guide to Truck &Farm Implement Laws & Regulations, 4th Ed., contains concise and thorough information on general and specific load securement rules

including cargo placement, blocking and bracing, and detailed charts outlining the types of tie-downs to be used according to the weight and diameter of your load. Call the New York Farm Bureau Legal Affairs Department at 1-800-342-4143 to order your copy.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be considered, a substitute for legal advice rendered by a competent attorney. If you have any questions about the application of the issues raised in this article to your particular situation, seek the advice of a competent attorney.

TruckContinued from Page 12

CornellseeksfruitbusinessspecialistCornell Cooperative Extension

ITHACA — Cornell Cooperative Extension is seeking candidates for the Fruit Production Economics and Business Management Specialist for the Lake Ontario Fruit Program.

LOF serves commercial fruit producers in five New York counties along the shore of Lake Ontario where producers continue to invest in modern

technology to compete in world markets.

There are 26,446 acres of apples in the LOF region, 63 percent of the acreage in New York.

P e a c h e s , sweet cherries, tart cherries, apricots and many berry crops are also produced in the region. LOF is among the most respected extension programs in the fruit industry.

Alison De Marree filled this position for more than 30 years.

This Extension Support Specialist II will work as a member of the LOF team, and closely with Cornell faculty and industry leaders to provide commercial growers and industry representatives with the educational resources in economics of production and business management necessary to assess if practices will enhance profitability.

We are seeking candidates with bachelor’s or master’s degree in agriculture from an accredited institution with a major in agricultural economics, business management or closely associated fields and three years of relevant work experience in agribusiness, horticultural crop production, cooperative extension, or closely related fields.

For a complete job description, and to apply, visit https://cornellu.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.f t l ? j o b = 2 5 2 0 6 & l a n g = e n & s n s _id=gmail

Cornell plans Agribusiness Economic Outlook Conference

ITHACA — Save the date: This year’s Cornell Agribusiness Outlook Conference will take place Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Cornell University in Warren Hall.

For details, visit dyson.cornell.e d u / o u t r e a c h / a g _ o u t l o o k _conference.php.


In Mexico, 500,000 tons of applesare endangered by power cutsFreshplaza.com

Electricidad (CFE) is cutting off the electric supply of the refrigerators of apple producers.

This year’s harvest, which is expected to amount to nearly 500,000 tons, could be at risk because there would be no where to store it.

The power cuts are happening in the northwestern part of the state of Chihuahua in towns such as Namiquipa, Madera, Cuauhtémoc and Casas Grandes, among others. The

power is being cut as the producers are behind on payments because of the problems created last year by the excessive import of American apple, which prevented the marketing of local produce, said local deputy Javier Mendoza Valdez.

Mendoza Valdez said that, at the last meeting of the permanent council, both deputy Agueda Torres Varela and himself had proposed the CFE were required to suspend the power shortages for the refrigerators;

proposal that was endorsed by the Legislature, so they sent the document to the CFE managers.

Mendoza Valdez explained that Chihuahua’s apple sector had lost 80,000 tons of apples last year as a result of the American fruit invasion, which consequently led the sector to fall behind on payments to the CFE.

The legislator stated that the CFE started cutting the electric service in several municipalities weeks ago and that the apple producers are really

worried because they won’t be able to store and keep the fruit they harvest this summer fresh.

Mendoza said they were looking for a solution to this issue.

In August, he said, he had met with apple producers and the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Enrique Martínez y Martínez, to ask him to consider the refrigerators as part of the orchard so that the CFE can lower the cost of energy used to store the product.

between 50 and 80 tons, as they are operating them under a high-density system.

Marquez Portillo also said that, even though they would only know for certain the apple production volume once the harvest period was over, they could anticipate that the entity will

retain 70 to 75 percent of the national share.

The producer said that they expected the anti-dumping lawsuit would make the federal government take several steps to have greater control of imports of apple and to take care of the Mexican fruit-growing sector.

To that end, he said, they were seeking to consolidate agreements with various agencies that would provide greater certainty for apple imports to Mexico.

Marquez Portillo enumerated a series of eight points to reach that goal. Among them, granting UNIFRUT access to the copies of apple import declarations, so they can review them, and enabling Union supervisors to enter the shipments’ tax areas.

They also asked to be provided with a monthly report of rejected shipments and the reasons why they were rejected; as well as having a phytosanitary inspection point for the import of apples in the authorized customs.

Furthermore, UNIFRUT wants to be informed of the inspecting procedure on the shipments on the American side, so that they can’t be replaced in course, and the standardization of the amount and type of permitted chemicals.

Finally, Marquez Portillo stressed that they must be involved in the audits that the American authority makes on the fruit to measure the risk from pests and substances and to be able to maintain a monitoring scheme on the imported fruit.

SuitContinued from Page 16

As September unfolds I am hitting many local stations throughout Upstate New York with our message. I will be in Utica on Sept. 4, Binghamton on Sept. 8, Watertown on Sept 11, Albany on Sept. 12, Elmira on Sept. 23 and Rochester on Sept. 24.

Tune in and watch the fun.

QuinnContinued from Page 12

Linda Quinn does a food demo with chef Ali Hart of Cazenovia.

certainly a game changer in this high fat, high calorie, sugar-laden competitive feeding industry. For decades the driving marketing tool was a silly clown and cheap toys imported from China.

Changing the focus from toys and junk food to good food was an impressive and daring move. Obviously it was a good move and the successes of

apples are now opening other doors for other nutritious fruits.

Will the apple demand for slices be reduced? Probably; but our product is proven and as long as we continue to provide the high quality that McDonald’s requires, and with the increased production that is anticipated, we can provide fresh apples year round to Happy Kids eating Happy Meals. The toy is up to Mickey D!

Good luck,

AllenContinued from Page 3

Jim

nutrition education are not having problems or experiencing increased plate waste” Muir said.

“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans calls for children and adults to “make half their plate fruits and vegetables” at every meal. How can you call school breakfast or school lunch a ‘meal’ if it doesn’t include at least a half cup of fruits or vegetables?”

“Phil Muir shared his passion and commitment to working collaboratively with schools to implement the new fruit and vegetable requirements,” said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, vice president, nutrition & health, United Fresh. “His testimony also demonstrated the commitment of everyone in the fresh produce supply chain - grower shippers, fresh-cut processors and produce distributors - to helping schools be successful. We are all committed to increasing children’s fruit and vegetable consumption and improving their health.”

United Fresh continues to be a leading advocate for improving

school children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables through a variety of strategies, including more healthful standards for school meals, the Smart Snacks in School standard, the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, and the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative.

Additionally, Muir and other United Fresh members participated in United’s first-ever “Ask the Experts: Produce Solutions Center” at the School Nutrition Association annual conference in Boston, July 13-16. The center brought produce industry veterans together with school nutrition directors from across the country for discussions about ways to provide a wide variety of high-quality produce items to students. United Fresh also presented two educational workshops at the conference to help school nutrition directors plan menus, understand seasonality and efficiently add more fresh produce to their schools’ meals.

“My hat is off to those in the trenches who are implementing healthier school meals,” Muir said. “The produce industry is committed to helping you; we want to be your partner. This is about improving the health of America’s children.”

UnitedContinued from Page 9

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“New York school meals offer the right balance of important nutrients to fuel our kids’ growth and learning. Parents can learn why NY school meals rock at http://bit.ly/NYschoolmeals. Spread the word.”

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Linda Quinn films a video for the New York Apple Association that will appear on You-tube in the fall.


Export Report

Allen takes over as USAEC Chairman Jim Allen took over as Chairman of

the U.S. Apple Export Council at the August meeting.

Jim is replacing Mark Girardin of North Bay Produce, Travers City, Mich. Karri Stannard and Ward Dobbins also sit on the council for New York. This will be Jim’s third term as chairman since 2003.

The USAEC is made up of all the apple exporting states except Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The dues paying states are California, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The council oversees the Market Access funds that are awarded by USDA-FAS to promote U.S. apples in foreign markets.

USAEC receives in excess of $1 million in MAP funding, and collects another $275,000 from the member

states and a f f i l i a t e members. This money is used to support m a r k e t programs in Brazil, Canada, C e n t r a l A m e r i c a , Europe, India, Mexico, and S o u t h e a s t Asia. Until just recently,

we conducted programs in Russia; but because of political reasons, U.S. and European Union apples are now banned in Russia. Last year New York shipped about 10,000 boxes to Russia.

Although the New York volume is not

high into Russia, the biggest concern we have over the Russian move to block EU apples and U.S. apples is the serious ramifications to the world apple market. Included in the ban is Poland, Europe’s largest apple producer and Russia’s largest apple supplier. Now Poland is scrambling to find markets for their apples this season and will take no prisoners.

hey will impact export markets around the world and will likely undercut U.S. apple prices. The closing of the Russian border to Washington apples is also a concern. In addition, Poland has now petitioned the U.S. for entry with apples. Canada just last month, announced that they would speed up and address the request by Poland for Canadian access. Canada presently is one of Washington State’s

top export markets.The U.S. Apple Association and

other state groups will be monitoring the Polish situation closely and letting our Congress know the ramifications to our industry if cheap Polish apples are allowed into the United States. Remember, it is the EU that lowered the MRL of DPA to such a level that it almost prevents all U.S. apples into Europe.

The USAEC addresses issues such as this, as well as provides tools to marketers to sell more U.S. apples in foreign markets. Last month USAEC attended the Asian Fruit Logistic meetings in Hong Kong, and participates each year in the Berlin Fruit Logistica show in February.

Allen

European productionMexico: American apple exporters sued for dumpingFreshplaza.com

The Regional Fruit Producers Agricultural Union from the State of Chihuahua (UNIFRUT) sued the producers and exporters of apples in the United States for dumping because, this year, they introduced their apple below the cost of production in detriment of the growers in Chihuahua and Mexico.

Ricardo Noe Marquez Portillo, president of UNIFRUT, said the lawsuit had been delivered to the Ministry of Economy of the federal government so that it could be settled in the relevant international instances and to prevent this year’s expected 18 million box harvest from not being able to find a market, as happened with the harvest in 2013.

He explained that the growers expected to harvest 360 million tons of apples this year, which would generate about one million jobs.

UNIFRUT worked with the SAI Law & Economics law firm to create the file that demonstrates the unfair practices and sales below cost that the apple producers from the United States carry out in Mexico.

The prices of the national fruit tumbled more than 80 percent, to the point were producers weren’t able to cover costs, because of the cheap and poor quality apple that was introduced and flooded the domestic market.

The representative of the apple producers from Chihuahua stated that the average cost per kilogram of fruit produced that the sector handles is of 2.50 to 3 pesos.

He reported that there is an average of 33,000 hectares of apple in the state, 70 percent of which has irrigation infrastructure, via sprinklers, micro sprinklers and drip; it is the most modernized agricultural sector.

He added that about 50-60 percent of the orchards in Chihuahua have hail meshes, which allows for increased performance.

The orchards yield about 20 tons per hectare, although some people get

See Suit, Page 15

Rochester• WBEE • WPXYSyracuse• WBBS • WYYYRadio Remotes• NY Apple & Wine Festival (Albany),

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4, (WYRK)• Warwick Apple Festival (Warwick),

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6, 2-4 p.m., (WBEE)

AirContinued from Page 11

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