New York Growers Testify at State Senate Labor Committee ... · Market Basket and Trader Joe’s tied for fourth at 87. There was a five-way tie for fifth, with Crest Foods, Fareway

What’s In Store After Bag Ban Goes into Effect....................................... Page 3

NYAA Sponsors EPC Event...................................... Page 5Time Running Out for Crucial Pesticide....................................... Page 7Register Now for June’s Premier Apple Forum....................................... Page 8DEC, Ag & Markets Announce Sixth Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week....................................... Page 8

NYAA Attends PMA Fresh Retail Connections....................................... Page 9Share Bloom Photos/Videos for USApple and NYAA Social Media....................................... Page 9

Farmers for Free Trade Campaign Kicks Off..................................... Page 10New York Farm Viability Institute Announces Funded Projects.................................... Page 10NYAA Promotes NY Apples to Dietitians and Nutritionists.................................... Page 10

Your AMO assessments fund all of the activities of the New York Apple

Association, helping to encourage profitable growing and marketing of New York apples. Stories and photos with this logo specifically highlight how your AMO dollars are being put to work for you.

In this Issue

7645 Main StreetPO Box 350Fishers New York 14453-0350

Official Newspaper of the New York Apple Association Volume 7, Issue 12 May 2019

Inside: State BudgetIncludes Supportfor Agriculture, NYAA

Page 6

A nearly full theater at SUNY Morrisville was the site of the first of three statewide labor hearings. More Photos, Page 11

New York Growers Testifyat State Senate Labor Committee Field Hearings

New York apple growers attended and testified at recent joint hearings about the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act (S2837) hosted by New York Sens. Jen Metzger (SD-42) and

Jessica Ramos (SD-3) in Morrisville on April 25, Smithtown on April 26, and in Loch Sheldrake on May 2.

The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act S2837 is proposed state

legislation that would have a significant impact on farm workers and farmers in New York. Topics included in this

USApple Awards Rensselaer City School District with Apples4Ed Grant

The U.S. Apple Association awarded a $4,000 grant to the Rensselaer City School District last month as part of its 2019 Apples4Ed program. The grant will provide funding for the school district to create a healthy snacking program that encourages student participation in physical activity.

“The Rensselaer City School District really distinguished itself from other Apples4Ed applicants due to its

creativity in linking healthy snacks with exercise as a building block for healthy minds,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair, who helped judge Apples4Ed applications submitted by schools nationwide. “The school district firmly believes that correlating nutrition and physical activity in a

USApple Board Chair Kaari Stannard, president of New York Apple Sales, presents the Rensselaer City School District with a 2019 Apples4Ed grant.

AMO Advisory Board Nominations Due June 14

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is currently accepting nominations for grower appointments to the Apple Marketing Order Advisory Board.

Appointments are made for a two-year term running from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. The AMO Advisory Board is comprised of nine members: six of whom are to be growers, one of which should represent Apple Processors and one of which should represent storage operators; the final member represents NYSDAM.

Responsibilities include recommending administrative rules for operation of the AMO; advising Department staff on an annual operating budget; and advising

See Hearings, Page 11

See Grant, Page 16 See AMO, Page 16

Page 2 Core Report® May 2019

Retail ReviewNews from the retail marketing industry

Albertsons Names New President/CEOThe Produce News

Vivek Sankaran, former chief executive officer of PepsiCo Foods North America, has been appointed president and CEO of Albertsons Cos.

Sankaran began as CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America in December 2018. Prior to that, he served as the company’s president and chief operating officer, a position he was named to in 2016. Over the last three years, he has led Frito-Lay to industry-leading growth by remaining focused on innovation, technology and execution. Over his 10-year career at PepsiCo, in addition to leading Frito-Lay, Sankaran also served as the chief commercial officer for PepsiCo North America, chief customer officer of Frito-Lay, and as the senior vice president of strategy for PepsiCo.

Before joining PepsiCo in 2009, Sankaran was a partner at McKinsey & Co., where he served various Fortune 100 companies, bringing a strong focus on strategy and operations. Sankaran has an MBA from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in manufacturing from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai.

Central Market, Shipt Top Consumer Reports RankingsBy Russell Redman Supermarket News

Shoppers named H-E-B’s Central Market in Texas as the best supermarket and Shipt as the best online grocery service in a survey by Consumer Reports.

Regional chains led the ranking for brick-and-mortar grocery stores. Out of a top rating of 100, Central Market came in first with a score of 91, followed by Wegmans Food Markets at 90; Heinen’s at 89; and Gelson’s Markets, Market Basket and Trader Joe’s tied for fourth at 87. There was a five-way tie for fifth, with Crest Foods, Fareway Stores, New Seasons Market, Costco Wholesale and Publix Super Markets all scoring an 86.

Shipt, a Target Corp. subsidiary, was No. 1 with a score of 79, followed by Amazon Prime Now at 75, Ahold Delhaize USA’s Peapod at 72, FreshDirect and Instacart at 70, and AmazonFresh at 66.

“A growing number of Americans are relying on grocery delivery services to bring food to their doors without the hassles of driving, finding parking, navigating aisles, waiting in checkout lines, loading bags into their vehicles and unloading bags once home,” according to Tobie Stanger,

senior editor at Yonkers, N.Y.-based Consumer Reports.

For brick-and-mortar grocers, the ratings are based on responses from 75,065 Consumer Reports members to the consumer advocacy organization’s 2018 Supermarkets Survey. Respondents rated the one or two supermarkets they visit most often. Overall, Consumer Reports said 96 grocery retailers (including supermarkets, warehouse clubs and supercenters) were rated by shoppers based on 13 attributes, such as store cleanliness, price, food quality and variety, checkout speed and staff helpfulness, selection of healthy options and locally produced foods, and variety of international and multicultural foods.

Sprouts’ Expansion Continues Across the SoutheastThe Produce News

Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country, announced 13 stores to open during the second half of 2019, including five Florida locations and its first store in Virginia.

Since opening its doors nearly two decades ago, Sprouts has appealed to everyday shoppers interested in fresh, natural and organic products at affordable prices. By the end of the year, Sprouts will operate 340 stores in 22 states.

Five of the stores will feature Sprouts’ newest operational and design enhancements that highlight department destinations and promote customer engagement throughout the store.

Sprouts continues to grow as a destination for high-quality meat and seafood, and guests will enjoy eye-catching marquee signage and display cases at The Butcher Shop and Fish Market that emphasize the department’s knowledgeable and personal service. Additionally, The Market Corner Deli in the enhanced stores will feature a detached, rectangular island to optimize

customer service and convenience by offering made-to-order sandwiches, a salad bar, prepared foods, sushi made in-store and fresh juice.

Each new store will bring approximately 140 new career opportunities to its local neighborhood. Sprouts offers competitive pay, team member discounts, a fun and rewarding culture, and numerous career advancement opportunities. Sprouts continues to accelerate investments in team members, including enhanced pay, benefits, leadership development and recognition.

Tops Markets Invests $40 Millionin NY-Area StoresAndnowyouknow.com

Tops Markets is in the early stages of a $40 million capital improvement project with plans to debut its new store look in its home state featuring major floor-to-ceiling interior renovations that will include expanded space for produce, updated exterior facades, and even modifications to its landscaping and parking lots.

“Throughout our stores, shoppers will see expanded refrigerated produce allowing for more variety and convenience, new offerings including an in-store cut fruit and vegetable program, and an increase of antibiotic-free meat and seafood selections,” said John Persons, President and Chief Operating Officer.

“We’re also looking to bring a new coffee shop and comfortable sit-down area to a few of our locations which is an exciting addition for our shoppers.”

The remodel will particularly emphasize Tops’ fresh departments. According to a press release from Tops headquarters, stores will be remodeled to provide customers with a warm, inviting atmosphere that highlights the fresh departments. This will include expanding the produce, bakery, and deli/carry out café departments and bolstering its product selection with more natural, organic, and gluten-free offerings.

In addition, new flooring, energy efficient equipment, cart corrals, shopping carts, and new interior décor will refresh Tops’ floor layout with vibrancy.

The $40 million investment will also cover the cost of new convenient services, like online in-store pick up.

“By the end of May 2019, Tops will have twenty stores that will offer grocery pickup service to its customers with expansion into our other major markets on the horizon,” continued Persons. “When we create an even more exceptional shopping experience and help make grocery shopping simple, friendly and easy, our shoppers benefit at the end of the day.”

Tops Recognizes Produce ManagerBy Ashley NickleProduce Retailer

Tops Friendly Markets recently celebrated produce manager Robin Manwaring for being selected by United Fresh as one of its 25 retail produce manager award winners for 2019.

Manwaring has been in the industry 38 years and called the award the highlight of her career, according to a news release.

Jeff Cady, director of produce and floral for Tops, describes Manwaring as someone who sets the standard for how to run a department.

“Just a great person who will constructively communicate issues and opportunities — I think that’s always great when someone can positively communicate things to you for the betterment of the department,” Cady said. “You walk into the department…it’s in great shape. … She has a really good game plan” Cady said.

“She’s able to plug people in and get them up to speed, and you can just see it because it’s all the time.”

Tops has had several produce managers recognized over the years, and Cady — who is also the chairman of the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board — said he loves the program.

Giant Opens Stores in Four StatesThe Produce News

In a first for the company, Giant Food Stores celebrated the grand opening of six brand new stores in four states, growing its total store count to 178.

Five of the stores, which are former Shop ‘n Save locations Giant acquired earlier this year, are branded Martin’s Food Markets and are in the communities of Smithsburg, Md., Greencastle, Pa., Berryville, Va., Hedgesville, WVa., and Martinsburg, WVa. In addition, Giant constructed a brand-new store in Warrington, Pa., to replace a store previously located in Jamison, Pa.

Photo courtesy of TopsFrom left, Tom Stenzel with United Fresh, Lisa Overman with Dole, and Robin Manwaring and Jeff Cady with Tops.

May 2019 Core Report® Page 3

By Cynthia HaskinsNew York recently passed a law

banning most single-use plastic bags provided by supermarkets and other stores which will go into effect March 2020. The ban will not include bags

for packing fresh produce. State figures estimate that New Yorkers now use 23 billion single-use plastic bags each year.

Lawmakers approved the ban earlier this month as part of a

new state budget. Under the new law, local counties will have the option of imposing a five-cent fee on paper bags, with three cents going to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and two cents kept by local governments.

Several New York retailers are trying to get a head start on this initiative by eliminating other single-use plastic items as well as implementing measurable steps to increase recycling rates, and minimize waste—including food. In fact, the word sustainability has reached a new level of excitement across the country as retailers continue to determine measures to improve their systems.

While everyone is looking at how they are currently doing things, they are also trying to get a strong foothold on what is truly sustainable and which actions reduce carbon footprint. For example, some scientists report that paper bags can be worse than plastic when viewed through the lens of carbon emissions. Paper bags are heavier, requiring more fuel to transport, and they’re made from trees. And cotton totes may even be worse. A cotton tote needs to be reused at least 52 times to have the same climate impact as a single-use plastic bag, according to a 2018 study from Denmark. Woven mesh bags or plastic bags intended for reuse have a smaller carbon footprint than cotton bags.

Plastic is categorized in seven different groups, each of which identifies the type of resin the plastic is made of. This Resin Identification Code [RIC] — also called Resin Identification Numbers [RIN] — is listed in triangular symbols found on plastic containers. These numbers ultimately determine the recyclability of the plastic.

Plastic bags are often made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), RIC #2, but can also be made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), RIC#4. Bag companies are exploring new options. One company is touting a compostable bag that does not contain polyethylene and can biodegrade without harming the surrounding environment.

One retailer is partnering with an organization for cause marketing and making available a reusable bag, like the same high-graphic bags offered for sale by grocery retailers. But, are the totes aimed for recycling—recycled? Or are the more expensive bags used more as disposable in the end—thwarting their original intent? Are they just a glorified single use bags? And, are single use bags only used once? I for one reuse them as trash liners, unsophisticated briefcase when in a hurry, and to pick up after my pet.

The examination of whether paper, plastic, canvas, recycled polypropylene tote bags, and clam shells are more environmentally friendly than another isn’t anything new. What is new is that supermarkets are now rolling up their sleeves and trying to implement practices in a big way. The New York apple industry will need to keep watch on what retailers are doing so we can continue to be players in the game. There has been discussion whether produce departments will revert back to merchandising fresh produce in bulk. This reminds me on how we did it 40 years ago. As consumers demanded more convenience in their lifestyle, packaging fresh produce surfaced. What was once a small niche is currently the norm among the produce aisles. Row after row is lined with convenience packaging.

The convenience packing become an advertising opportunity for fresh produce companies. As one walks into the produce department, branding tools adorn the plastic and corrugated containers.

If supermarkets revert to bulk merchandising, then the shippers will need to figure out another way to reach the consumer. Some retailers are commenting that change is coming and others disagree. And some have a concern about food safety. Remember when grocery stores added the sneeze bar to the salad bars? Will we have sneeze bars hovering over the produce aisles if the industry reverts to merchandising apples in bulk? Makes you wonder what supermarkets will look like by 2025. Regardless, we better be ready.

Core Report® is publishedmonthly by the New York

Apple Associationas a member service.

New York Apple Assn.Contact

P.O. Box 350, 7645 Main St. Fishers, NY 14453-0350Phone: (585) 924-2171, Fax: (585) 924-1629www.applesfromny.com

StaffCynthia Haskins, President & [email protected] Willis, Executive Assistant/Office [email protected] Bacon, Public Relations [email protected] Kowalewski, Account [email protected] McAleavey Sarlund, Northeast Account [email protected]

Core Report onlinewww.applesfromny.com

Board of DirectorsJesse Mulbury, District 1, Peru(518) 643-9718, [email protected]

Jay Toohill, District 1, Chazy (518) 846-7171, [email protected] Grout, District 2, Valatie (518) 758-7683, [email protected] Jones, District 2, Germantown (518) 537-6500, [email protected] Albinder Camac, District 3, Milton (845) 795-2121, [email protected]

Kurt Borchert, District 3, Marlboro (845) 236-7239, [email protected] Sarah Dressel Nikles, Chairwoman, District 3, New Paltz(845) 255-0693, [email protected]

Danielle Fleckenstein, District 4, Lafayette(315) 558-0188, [email protected]

Karla Bailey, District 5, Williamson(315) 589-8352, [email protected]

Richard Endres, Treasurer, District 5, Sodus(315) 483-6815, [email protected] Furber, District 5, Sodus(315) 483-8529, [email protected]

Frank Teeple, District 5 Wolcott(585) 734-0591, [email protected]

Robert Brown III, Vice Chairman, District 6, Waterport (585) 721-7723, [email protected] Russell, District 6, Appleton (716) 778-8231, [email protected]

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

Industry Insights

Cynthia Haskins

What’s In StoreAfter Bag Ban Goes into Effect

Core Report®

is online at:www.applesfromny.com/core-report


By Michael MarshNational Council of Ag Employers

I spend a good deal of time in airports and in flight to different destinations around the country. Perhaps, to some, it might seem glamorous to fly here and fly there at 32,000 feet over the United States. Glamorous? I don’t know about

that, but there are some things about airline travel I enjoy.

It’s a good time to work and I always find it cool to look out the window and see the landscape pass by. Although we’re moving

at about 500 mph, it looks as if we’re slowly passing over what lies below. From that vantage point, it gives me the opportunity to look far and wide.

Over some parts of the country I see forest. Over other parts I see cities. These are much easier to spot at night when their lights twinkle through the atmosphere. However, over much of the country I look down and see something that makes me smile. Doubtless my seat mates find me a quiet but curious companion.

Often below I see the patchwork of fields, roads and circles of American agriculture. It looks like a quilt or a tapestry of sorts. Different colors and textures blend into a mosaic in natural light and shadow.

In certain parts of the country I distinguish section lines and farm houses spread distant from one another, along with barns, outbuildings, corrals and elevators. If I look closely, I can observe drainage on the property witnessed sometimes by scars that knife jaggedly from the high spots to the lower ones. Creeks meander through some of the land on their way to somewhere else.

What I also see, at least in my mind’s eye, are the stories that preface what I observe today.

I see the struggle of generations toiling long hours for too little return, relative to the effort. I observe where someone’s great great grandparents staked a claim and set about the hard work of trying to build something lasting for their kids, their grandchildren, their great grandchildren, and so it goes.

While flying along and looking down I can imagine the tales that created the legacy I see below.

The rains, the droughts, the winds and snows all played a part. Some years might have been challenged by pests like grasshoppers. Other years may have been challenged by an early freeze, a late snow or a hailstorm. Farming and ranching are always tough and Mother Nature, as the families who work at it know, can be whimsical and hard.

But somehow, the hearty people who work the land keep at it. And, because I eat, I’m glad they do.

They get up each morning, yawn, stretch and rub sleep out of their eyes. After a cup of joe, they pull on their boots and tie the laces. If it’s cold, they’ll put on coveralls over a sweatshirt with a hoodie. Then they’ll typically put on a cap of some sort because, of course, livestock don’t care much for bed hair.

Then, out they’ll go and out is important because that’s where most of agriculture still takes place. Perhaps, if it’s chilly, their breath will turn to frost or, if it’s not, beads of sweat will soon darken the sweatband of the cap they’ve put on. If it’s raining, folks try and retreat to those chores in the shop they’ve been putting off until such a day occurs.

Looking out that airplane window, I can watch crops mature with the seasons. I might see an orchard that

blooms bright in the spring, having branches later bent by fruit ready to pick. I might see a wheat field green and lush with spring moisture, mature into golden bounty. And then, after harvest the whole thing starts over.

Some of the other passengers on my flight looked at the earth below as well. They may not have the affinity for agriculture I do and may not see what it is I see. They may consider what I view to be nothing more than passage from one place to another. Some will leave the flight recalling little of what was below because to them, and their experience, they’ve seen something they’ll refer to as “flyover country.” If they ever talk of it.

I’ve surveyed something a bit different than my companions. Having a connection to land and agriculture, I’ve viewed something important and truly special.

On my flight, I’ve beheld America.

Labor mattersNews from Agricultural Affiliates

Marsh

Perspectives From a Bird’s Eye View

Three hearings down—What have we learned?By Paul [email protected]

As we draw closer to some decision by the New York State Legislature on what will be the details in the final version of the Farm Worker Labor Bill we should try to reflect on what we have seen.

To begin with, I was very proud of the quality of each testimony given by our industry. No two were alike. Each exposed a unique aspect of agriculture. Regardless if the testimony was from Morrisville or out on Long Island the message was consistent. Here are some of the conclusions offered by everyone.

This issue will impact all types of agriculture. Fruit, dairy, vegetable or any other type will be impacted. Each stated the reality that they are price takers. Supply and demand will dictate the returns. We do not have the ability to increase our prices to offset increases in our individual operation. We either can or cannot succeed under the existing price structure. Unlike public government we cannot vote in an increase.

Every report stated a huge respect and d e p e n d e n c y on their e m p l o y e e s . They knew how d e p e n d e n t they were in having these people in their o p e r a t i o n . Every effort

was made to meet employee needs. Almost every farm reported long repeated years of consistent service. Likewise, employees when asked reported a comfort in the relationship they had with their employers.

What struck me was the reality that we were asked to support a legislative change to a system that was not broken or under stress. Usually new legislation is created to replace flawed conditions. Could each situation be improved? Yes of course. It appeared that when an issue did arise the employee and employers were able to discuss and make changes.

The two large issues seem to be collective bargaining and overtime. Farms in general were not really opposed to giving employees the right to collective bargaining so long as they were assured of a no strike clause. As one farmer stated we have been “collectively bargaining” for years with our employees on a farm by farm basis.

Employees that testified showed a keen understanding of the economics of the farms they were working on. They understood that the farms were offering all that was possible. They also seemed to understand that yes it would be nice to receive more money, but the farm could not pay 50 percent more and not get any more work accomplished. They wanted to have the unlimited hours and the stability of being employed in one place. They did not wish to join so many other Americans that today are struggling to make ends meet with two jobs. I wager many US citizens wish they could have greater than 39 hours of work each week like these farm employees.

In short, it really comes down to the

fact that in production agriculture, we often work on impossible margins. Competition for market share too often leaves low returns. I think these hearings have exposed the true economic reality of agriculture. It is not that farms are willingly underpaying their help but that they simply are maxed out. So long as technology does not offer a cheaper way to bring the food to the market place we will see this struggle to satisfy everyone’s expectations.

Farming is certainly not for everyone. It is a demanding vocation with mixed returns. I feel it will always be dependent on world, national and local supply and demand. We are all very fortunate to have people who are willing to accept the challenge of agriculture and those who find value in working in it. Governments can make farms less profitable, but they do not have the ability to guarantee economic success. While some may idealistically state this is solely a moral issue, the reality is it’s a simple question of basic economics.

Baker

National Council of Ag EmployersLast month, United States

Department of Agriculture released findings from the 2017 Census of Agriculture. According to USDA, the Census revealed more than 2,411,033 people worked on U.S. farms and ranches during 2017. This reflected a decline of 325,384 hired workers from the 2012 Census.

“The release of the Census data shines a bright light on the importance of quickly resolving the U. S. agricultural worker shortage,”

noted Michael Marsh, President and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. “Without access to a ready, willing, able and reliable agricultural workforce in the U. S., crops don’t get planted or harvested timely. This increases American reliance on imported food.”

Today, about half of the fresh fruit and a third of the vegetables consumed in the U.S. are imported. A

Reform of Ag Worker Laws Must Hurry

See NCAE, Page 16


MAY 9-10USDA FRUIT & VEGETABlE INDUSTRY ADVISoRYCoMMITTEE MEETINGWashington, D.C.

JUNE 4AMo ADVISoRY BoARD NoMINATIoNS DUESee Page 1.

JUNE 10-12UNITED FRESH 2010CoNVENTIoN & ExPoChicago

JUNE 11-12NYAA BoARD MEETINGRamada Geneva Lakefront

JUNE 24-25PREMIER APPlECoNFERENCEDouble Tree, East Syracuse

JUNE 25NYAA NEW YoRK SHIPPER MEETINGDouble Tree, East Syracuse

JUlY 7-13 INVASIVE SPECIESAWARENESS WEEKSee article, Page 8

JUlY 21-24IFTA SUMMER STUDY ToUROntario, Canada

AUGUST 23USAPPlE oUTlooKChicagoSee Page 11

Industry Newswww.ApplesFromNY.com

Calendar

By Susan McAleavey SarlundNortheast Account Manager

On Saturday, April 6 the Eastern Produce Council hosted the John J. McAleavey Annual Gala at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, NJ.

The New York Apple Association s p o n s o r e d this annual event which is also known as “the produce prom”.

As NYAA’s N o r t h e a s t A c c o u n t M a n a g e r , I wore my hat as EPC’s E x e c u t i v e Director at the event and,

along with Wakefern’s Senior Category Manager Marianne Santo, welcomed nearly 300 attendees and industry insiders.

During the casino-night themed event $5,000 checks were presented to four non-profit organizations including Eva’s Village, LEAD New York, the New Jersey Agricultural Society and the Tomorrows Children’s Fund.

While this occasion also marked the council’s 53rd Annual Gala, the format of the night was something entirely new for EPC.

The Ballroom, traditionally set for a sit-down dinner, was transformed into a Casino complete with Black Jack, Craps, and Roulette tables and a Wheel. There was a DJ, Photo Booth and an Elvis impersonator.

Throughout the night people mingled between the casino, the Lounge which held the Dinner Buffet & Dessert and the terrace to enjoy the beautiful spring evening.

Founded in 1966 in New York City,

the EPC’s mission is to provide their membership with multiple networking opportunities and the most relevant, up-to-date information available in the produce industry, and to advance the sales and awareness of fresh fruits and vegetables.

NYAA Sponsors EPC Event

Susan McAleavey and Eastern Produce Council Board of Directors 2019McAleavey

Sarlund

Mike Harwood of New York Apple Sales and Tom Beaver of New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

Marianne Santo, senior category manager at Wakefern with NYAA Northeastern Account Manager and EPC president Susan McAle-avey Sarlund, and Rob Goldstein, EPC Treasurer and president of Gen-Pro, Inc.


State Budget Includes $33.2 Millionto Support Agriculture Industry

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced last month the fiscal year 2020 Enacted Budget for New York includes $33.2 million in local assistance funding to grow the state’s agriculture industry. This funding will provide critical dollars to support specialized technical assistance, research, agricultural economic development and promotion, agricultural access, education and workforce programming.

In January of 2019, the Governor proposed a historic $29.5 million in local assistance funding for New York’s agriculture industry, an increase of more than $8 million from the previous year’s Executive Budget proposal. The Legislature provided additional support in several areas for the final 2019-20 Enacted Budget.

A snapshot of programs funded include: over $4 million for Cornell University Education and Outreach programs, such as Agriculture in the Classroom; $1.555 million for Cornell University Research and Development programs in the areas of berries, honeybees, maple, onions, vegetable, hard cider, Concord grapes and hops and barley; $5.887 million for Agricultural Development programs, such as Taste NY, Grow NY, NYS Brewers Association, NYS Cider Association, NYS Distillers Guild, NY Wine and Grape Foundation, NY Christmas Tree Farmers Association, New York Apple Association, NYS Maple Producers and more; $10.9 million for Ag Access and Education

programs, such as $750,000 for Farm-to-School, $250,000 for the Tractor Rollover Program operated by New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, and $9.275 million for Agribusiness Child Development centers, which provide early childhood education and social services to farm worker families across New York State; $7.655 million for the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center, which provides laboratory testing services for the improved health of animals; and $2.035 million for the Farm Viability Institute, which provides funding for agricultural research projects.

Local assistance funding supports

core agricultural programs. The Enacted 2019-20 Budget included additional funding to support marketing and promotional programs, such as Taste NY, as well as an additional $2.5 million in capital funding for the New York State Fair. The Budget also provided $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, which supports key agricultural environment programs, including $18 million for Farmland Protection, $18 million for the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program, $10.5 million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts and $4.5 million for the Climate Resilient Farms Program.

In a separate announcement last month, the Governor’s Office announced the FY 2020 Enacted Budget includes $6.2 million to expand access to New York agricultural products through the Taste NY program, an increase of $400,000 from FY 2019. The funding will help promote the wide variety of foods and beverages grown and produced in the State, making them readily available and recognizable to New Yorkers and consumers around the globe. The budget also supports the NYS Grown & Certified program by continuing

The New York Apple Association once again will receive $750,000 in state funding from New York state in its recently approved 2019-2020 budget. This amount is on par with state support NYAA has received annually from the state for the last several years. With these funds NYAA carries out several consumer promotional programs using radio, television, print media and online digital advertising, focusing on spending within the state and targeting New York consumers with messaging about the benefits of buying New York apples from grocery stores, farm markets, greenmarkets and agritourism outlets throughout the state.

In the past few decades, state support for NYAA initiatives has steadily increased from $125,000 in the first year to a high of $1 million in 2013 which was used to help offset the reduced collections from the damaged 2012 crop.

NYAA board members play an important role in educating state legislators who influence the budget process in Albany. Over the past 20 years, many NYAA board members have made in-person visits to the legislative offices of government representatives in Albany prior to the approval of the state budget. These visits help solidify NYAA’s request for funding by educating state officials.

In the process, NYAA board members recount NYAA’s fiscal accountability and judicious spending of the allotted funds, an action that is noticed and appreciated in today’s environment of complete transparency and fiscal accountability.

Preparing and assisting NYAA board members with these legislative visits is New York Farm Bureau staff who typically join them in meeting with legislators in both Albany and Washington, D.C. This year, Jeff Williams of New York Farm Bureau and Paul Baker of Ag Affiliates once again supported NYAA’s legislative visits, preparing our board members for these critical meetings.

NYAA Receives Support from State

See Budget, Page 16


Time Running Out for Crucial PesticideBy Christina Herrick

Late last month, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced it was giving the Environmental Protection Agency 90 days to justify the use of chlorpyrifos.

Last summer, a three-judge panel of the court ordered the EPA to ban all sales of the pesticide. The court decided to reconsider that ruling with a slate of

11 judges, and those judges last week gave the EPA three months to respond to the plaintiffs’ objections.

The organophosphate is used to control pests that threaten a variety of crops, including grapes, almonds, oranges, and a variety of vegetables.

Should chlorpyrifos be banned from use by growers? As of the date of this publishing, growers voted 78 percent to 22 percent against chlorpyrifos

being banned.The court issued the order at the request of a coalition

of farmworker and environmental groups. Attorneys general for several states, including California, Washington, New York and Massachusetts, joined the case, according to news reports. The groups sued after then-EPA chief Scott Pruitt reversed an Obama-era effort to ban chlorpyrifos.


PremierApple ForumAgenda

The 2019 Premier Marketing Forum is set for June 24-25 at the Double Tree by Hilton in East Syracuse. Premier Apple Cooperative Chairman Doug Grout will open the meeting following lunch.

A keynote address from Agrofresh is scheduled to begin the program which features guest speakers Brian Focht of The Marketing Associations in Washington and Steve Rowse of New England Apple Products who will give a fresh cider report. Matt Wells from New York Apple Sales will present a 21st century apple economics review and Mark Seetin of USApple will coordinate the crop projection portion of the meeting. There will also be a fresh slice update and occasions for networking during a social hour and at dinner.

On the second day of the conference, the agenda will begin following breakfast at 8:15 a.m. with Diane Kurrle, senior vice president, USApple who will give an update on government affairs followed by a presentation by USApple President Jim Bair, and Tom O’Neill of Norfolk FGA will give a Canadian crop review and projection. The annual meeting for Premier Apple Cooperative will begin at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a presentation by Steve Lutz from the Produce Marketing Association who will speak on apples in the produce aisle.

At the conclusion of the meeting there will be a group discussion on marketing the 2019 crop. Immediately following, a New York apple shipper meeting will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Dates for the 2020 Premier Conference are set for June 22-23, 2020.

DEC, Ag & Markets Announce Sixth Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week, July 7-13

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Agriculture and Markets have announced New York state’s sixth annual Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) will be held July 7-13. Initiated in 2014, ISAW is an educational campaign featuring statewide events that encourage New Yorkers to help protect the state’s resources from the negative impacts of invasive species. Planning is already underway, and this year’s theme is “Early Detection: Explore, Observe, Report.”

“Thanks to the planning efforts of the eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management and their partners and the support from DEC’s Invasive Species Coordination Section, more than 170 events were held statewide in 2018, making it the most successful Invasive Species Awareness Week campaign to date,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “DEC encourages our partners to keep the momentum going this year by providing more opportunities for New Yorkers to learn about invasive species and get involved in their local

communities.”“Invasive species can cause serious

damage to our farms and crops,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. “Public education, awareness and vigilance are key components to preventing the establishment and spread of invasive species in New York state. These events help inform the public and encourage people to watch for, and report, these pests.”

The “early detection” theme is meant to shine a spotlight on the importance of detecting infestations of invasive species early, which increases the success of response efforts. Spotted lanternfly, oak wilt and hydrilla are just a few of the emerging invasives that could or are beginning to have significant impacts in New York. The theme will also help to highlight the soon-to-be-released iMapInvasives 3.0, a revamped version of the New York invasive species database that will have a more user-friendly, mobile-responsive map display.

Organizations interested in hosting an event can visit the New York Invasive Species Awareness Week

website for more information. All types of programming and events are encouraged, including removal projects, science trainings and film screenings. Some examples of past events include: a guided hike to survey for hemlock woolly adelgid; water chestnut removals at DEC-owned boat launches; tabling at a local farmers’ market with invasive species information; and invasive species educational programs geared toward

children.Any interested partners should

provide their local PRISM coordinator with information about their events by Monday, June 24, to ensure they can be added to the statewide list. To learn more about ISAW, visit the New York Invasive Species Awareness Week website. To learn more about iMapInvasives or to sign up for a training, visit the New York iMapInvasives website.

Spotted lanternfly is one of the emerging invasives that could or is beginning to have significant impacts in New York


Kowalewski Promoted to Account ManagerThe New York Apple Association

has promoted Cailin Kowalewski to account manager. Kowalewski joined NYAA last year as assistant account manager. In her new role, she works directly with retail and foodservice accounts across the country. She will also support NYAA’s work with retail dietitians and outreach to schools across the state.

“Cailin is a wonderful addition to our organization,” said Haskins. “Over

the last several months, she has become knowledgeable about our p r o m o t i o n a l programs and is developing r e l a t i o n s h i p s within retail and foodservice i n d u s t r i e s .

As we prepare to market the 2019 apple harvest, we are creating new promotions and opportunities for retail dietitians. Cailin will provide valuable support to these efforts,” added Haskins.

Prior to joining NYAA, Kowalewski was with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wayne County where she served as the nutrition and consumer science team coordinator. In that role, she developed and identified

programs to address nutrition and community health needs and planned and managed local, state, and grant-funded programs. She also provided oversight of grant objectives for the regional Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Outreach Team.

Kowalewski is a 2015 graduate of Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy where she earned a master’s degree in food policy and applied nutrition.Kowalewski

New York Apple Association President Cynthia Haskins and Account Manager Cailin Kowalewski were among 180 attendees at the Produce Marketing Association Retail Connections event April 10-11 in Philadelphia. Attendees tapped into the collective wisdom of retail

trai lb lazers and made new connections with peers and potential partners.

R e t a i l e r s from across the country participated in the event, including ACME Markets, Inc., Associated Wholesale Grocers, Coborn’s Inc., The Fresh Market, Giant Martin’s, HelloFresh, Meijer, Inc., Military Produce Group LLC, MOM’s Organic Market, ShopRite, Sprouts Farmers Market, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., Tops Friendly Markets and Whole Foods Market. Some of the topics discussed included the growing popularity of the plant-based diet, emphasizing the fact that the produce industry has a great opportunity to take advantage of the trend as, “we are the original plant-based diet.”

The group also discussed the emotional connection people have with their food and the potential use of social media to promote produce while making that connection.

NYAA Attends PMA Fresh Retail Connections

Above: Produce Marketing Association President Kathy Burns shares powerful, demand-increasing produce industry trends. Below: From left, Jeff Cady of Tops Markets with NYAA Account Manager Cailin Kowalewski.

Share Bloom Photos/Videos for USApple and NYAA Social Media

USApple is showcasing photos and short videos of the apple bloom on their social media channels this month using the hashtag #AppleBloom19. The purpose of the campaign is to engage consumers with informative messages that resonate with the season-and show off the beauty of the apple blossoms. Share your images and promote your orchard.

Examples of photos and videos that are desired include selfie-style cell phone photos and videos of growers showing various stages of the bloom and apple varieties as well as cell phone videos of pollination or drone videos in the orchard. Send your submissions to Tracy Grondine at [email protected] or to Tami Bacon at [email protected].

Submit Your Nomination for the 2019 ‘Apple Grower of the Year’ Award

The annual Apple Grower of the Year award, presented by American Fruit Grower® and Western Fruit Grower® magazines in cooperation with USApple and sponsored by Valent U.S.A, recognizes growers who are skilled, progressive horticulturists and who demonstrate leadership through their involvement in industry activities.

These growers go to great lengths to provide the highest-quality fruit possible while supporting the industry on a broader scale.

To nominate a grower, fill out a nomination form which is available online at www.growingproduce.com. Be as thorough as possible in explaining the reasons for your nomination, including information on the nominee’s achievements and contributions in: innovative production practices, business management, marketing, industry activity, and other factors you’d like considered. The deadline for nominations is May 19.

USDA Pilots Online SNAP PurchasesBy Tom KarstThe Packer

Food stamp participants will be able to select and pay for their groceries online during a new pilot in New York.

In an approach that has never been tried before, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants will be able to select and pay for their groceries online in a two-year New York state pilot. Under the pilot program, participants will be able to use their benefits to purchase eligible food items. Benefits cannot be used for service and delivery fees.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a news release that lessons learned from the pilot are expected to inform future efforts to expand online SNAP purchases.

“People who receive SNAP benefits should have the opportunity to shop for food the same way more and more Americans shop for food — by

ordering and paying for groceries online,” Perdue said in the release. “As technology advances, it is important for SNAP to advance too, so we can ensure the same shopping options are available for both non-SNAP and SNAP recipients.”

One nutrition policy expert said results from the pilot will be closely watched, particularly if studies are available to look at SNAP participants’ purchase practices before and after the pilot.

“I would love to know if the market basket item changes — if so, how, and whether Walmart/Amazon will be doing some target marketing online aimed at SNAP participants — and what does that look like,” said Tracy Fox, president of Food Nutrition & Policy Consultants LLC. “I hope that are some guardrails — seems like a great opportunity to test out how marketing of healthy items online could influence their purchases.”

Mollie Van Lieu, senior director of

nutrition policy for the United Fresh Produce Association said the pilot should provide valuable data on how food stamp benefits will be utilized for online purchases.

“As the general population is using online grocery shopping, it makes sense to pilot it,” she said. How retailers will incorporate fresh produce into their offerings will be an important feature of the pilot, she said.

The pilot will allow online purchasing only by SNAP households with electronic benefit transfer cards issued by New York, according to the release. Online retailers will be limited to delivery in the pilot areas in New York only. The USDA said the pilot is scheduled to expand to other areas of New York, plus Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington.

Amazon and Walmart were to participate in the initial New York pilot launch in mid-April, with ShopRite to join later in the month.


Farmers Advocate for Free TradeApple industry leaders from around the country

teamed up with Farmers for Free Trade last month as part of a two-week motorcade tour that promoted the benefits of trade to agriculture.

USApple President Jim Bair and USApple board member Ryan Hess spoke at the kick-off event in Manheim, Pennsylvania on April 12 along with Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., while USApple board member Elizabeth Wittenbach represented the industry at a roundtable with Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich.

Michigan Apple Committee Executive Director Diane Smith supported the tour on social media and New York Apple Association President Cynthia Haskins joined the tour on April 13 to make the case for trade at an event in upstate New York.

New York FarmViability Announces Funded ProjectsBy Jill MacKenzieNew York Farm Viability Institute

The New York Farm Viability Institute is a small nonprofit grantmaking organization funded by a New York legislative appropriation. It runs a competitive grant program seeking proposals that will improve the economic viability of New York’s farmers.

The NYFVI Board of Directors recently announced the 15 projects selected for funding in its competitive Farm Viability grant program. A total of $1.58 million was awarded. The projects reflect a diverse mix of strategic approaches for improving the economic viability of New York farmers.

All the proposals are reviewed by commodity specific farmer review panels as well as the board. Eight of the 46 proposals submitted in the 2019 FVI grant round were specific to apples. Three projects, for a total of nearly $350,000 were funded.

As a point of comparison, from 2012 to 2016, only 9 apple proposals were submitted. Apple grower Jill MacKenzie with Two of Clubs Orchards represents the NYS Horticulture Society on the board and chairs the Farm Viability Apple Review Panel. Following are profiles of each of the apple funded projects:

Mitigating Apple Grower’s Losses from Fire Blight with Novel Management Approaches -- Erwinia Amylovora is a devastating bacterial infection known to apple growers as “fire blight.”

Current Cornell production guidelines recommend treating preemptively with antibiotics. In 2002, 2011 and 2018 new, antibiotic resistant strains of the pathogen were discovered in New York orchards. This project, led by Kerik Cox from Cornell AgriTech, will collect and “fingerprint” fire blight samples from across the state to determine if differential management programs are needed for different growing regions.

It will also conduct on-farm efficacy trials to understand the potential for new programs of plant growth regulators, plant defense activators, and biological bloom protectants to help growers protect their orchards.

An economic analysis of each program will be conducted.

Keeping the Money In, and Bitter Pit Out, of HoneycrispTM Apples -- Consumers love Honeycrisp apples and growers across the country have been producing this apple in increasing quantities. The challenge? Bitter Pit, a physiological disorder that leads to high cull rates, as well as fruit that often rapidly declines in storage. With increasing product available on the market, producing a Honeycrisp apple that stores well is critical to the crop’s profitability.

Through prior grower funded research, it was confirmed that a commonly used plant growth regulator, applied early in the season could mitigate bitter pit by 50 percent. Models to help growers predict the storage capability of their fruit were also developed. This project led by Daniel Donahue with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program will educate growers on new options for managing bitter pit, refine the prediction models and evaluate additional agrichemicals for bitter pit suppression. Conservative

New York Apple Association president Cynthia Haskins, left, joins the Farmers for Free Trade tour.

Eight Apple Projects Among Those Funded

Eight of the 46 proposals submitted in the 2019 FVI grant round were specific to apples. Three projects, for a total of nearly $350,000 were funded. As a point of comparison, between 2012 to 2016, only 9 apple proposals were submitted. New York growers are truly fortunate that so many dedicated researchers and educators are working to support the industry.

Jill MacKenzie was nominated to the NYFVI board by the NYS Horticultural Society in 2017. Prior to serving on the board, she was part of the apple review panel for several years. She and her husband, Mark Russell, own Three of Clubs Orchard in Western New York.

See NYFVI, Page 15

New York Apple Association President Cynthia Haskins delivered the keynote address to more than 350 members of the New York State Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics

(NYSAND) at their annual meeting and c o n f e r e n c e held April 5-6 in Syracuse.

Also attending the event was Account Manager Cailin Kowalewski.

“Helping people understand the journey their food takes -- from the farm to the table -- is as important as the taste and the nutrition of the food itself,” said Haskins. “New York agriculture plays a prominent role in our country. The New York apple industry is the second largest in the country —no wonder they call us the Big Apple! New York is also fourth in dairy production and fifth in fruit and vegetable production in the United States.”

Haskins’ address included her insights on agriculture and consumer trends gleaned from nearly four decades in the industry. She engaged the audience of state-certified nutritionists and dietitians on a range

of topics which included traditional and modern apple production practices, climate and soil benefits unique to New York state, and the economics of apple production in the state and how it impacts growers, communities and the nation. Joining her as a keynote speaker was Chris Noble, co-owner of Noblehurst Farms, a seventh generation, multi-family farm located in western New York.

As part of NYAA’s sponsorship of the event, diced New York apples were added to breakfast yogurt parfaits and New York apples, fresh New York apple cider, and a special apple dessert were served at lunch. At the NYAA exhibit booth at the event, Kowalewski shared the Association’s new nutrition kit with the conference attendees.

“We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to connect with such a highly skilled, enthusiastic group of professionals who serve the nutrition and dietary needs of so many people in schools, hospitals, retail stores and other organizations throughout New York state,” added Haskins. “We look forward to working even more closely with them in the future.”

Cailin Kowalewski at NYSAND Conference in Syracuse.

NYAA Promotes NY Apples to Dietitians and Nutritionists


legislation range from mandating collective bargaining, overtime wages, workers compensation and disability insurance to eliminating small farm provisions for unemployment insurance and more. This legislation is currently under review and consideration in both the State Senate

and Assembly.Due to political changes in the

State Senate following last year’s election, this legislation faces a strong possibility of passing both houses later this year.

Sarah Dressel Nikles, chairwoman of New York Apple Association testified during the Sullivan County hearing. “We are pleased with the number of apple growers who have testified and provided written comments in

opposi t ion,” she stated. “We continue to invite our legislators to u n d e r s t a n d a g r i c u l t u r e . As a fourth g e n e r a t i o n farmer, I have serious c o n c e r n s

about the future of our orchards and agriculture in general.”

Senator Metzger serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senator Ramos (SD-3) is the chair of the Senate Labor Committee.

The New York Farm Bureau, State Vegetable Growers Association and New York Apple Association informed fruit, vegetable and dairy farmers that they may testify and attend the meetings.

HearingsContinued from Page 1

Apple Crop Outlook & MarketingConference Set for August 22-23

Outlook 2019 is set for Aug. 22-23 at the Ritz Carlton, 160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place, Chicago. Registration is now open for this premier event of the year for the apple industry. To register, download the Outlook 2019 registration form at www.usapple.org and submit with payment.

Early bird registration runs through July 1 and is $750 for members and $1,050 for non-members. From July 1 through Aug. 15, the member

registration fee is $850, and the non-member fee is $1,150. If you are not currently a member you can save $300 on your conference registration fee by enrolling. Membership information is also available online at www.usapple.org. The conference registration fee

includes access to all education and networking activities on Thursday and Friday of the conference and admission to the Thursday Mix & Mingle Reception as well as one copy of the 2019 Production & Utilization Analysis Report.

Outlook 2019 is specifically for industry leaders from the United States and around the world. Participants come from all segments of the apple industry, including production, packing, processing, sales, marketing

and new products.It is an ideal forum for meeting and

collaborating with other apple industry professionals.

This event is the only national gathering of the U.S. apple industry and is held at the beginning of the new crop marketing season – just days after the USDA August apple crop forecast. The conference brings together all sectors of the national apple industry and provides firsthand information on the upcoming crop.

Paul Baker, at right, testifies on behalf of New York growers. New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher, center, presents on behalf of farmers.

At right, NYAA Board Member Jesse Mulbury of Northern Orchards testified in Morrisville. Senator Rachel May and Senator Jenn Metzger.

Taste NY Sales Set Record in 2018Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in April announced Taste

NY sales increased to a record $17.8 million in 2018.Total gross sales of New York products from

Taste NY events and locations last year, including the opening of six brand new Taste NY Markets in Welcome Centers across the State, increased by $1.7 million over the previous year.

The continued year-over-year growth reflects increasing consumer demand for local food and beverage products.

“Taste NY continues to provide unprecedented support to our farms and food and beverage

businesses, further bolstering the agricultural and tourism industries that are so critical to local economies across the state,” Cuomo said. “New York is proud to connect consumers across the globe with fresh, locally grown products and we will continue to empower our farmers, growers and producers to expand their businesses while promoting tourism in every corner of this great state.”

“From maple syrup, to dairy, to fruits and vegetables, New York produces an amazing variety of high-quality agricultural products,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.

Since its creation in 2013, the Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth as evidenced by the program’s reported sales increasing from $1.5 million in 2014 to $16.1 million in 2017. Taste NY benefits both local farmers and New York’s agricultural industry as a whole. Exposure from Taste NY has helped the farms and companies participating in the program to reach more customers, increase online sales, and expand processing capacity, while Taste NY’s food and beverage businesses support the State’s farmers by using New York grown and produced ingredients in their products.

Dressel Nickles


FDA OKs Bioengineered Arctic FujiBy Chris KogerThe Packer

Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Summerland, British Columbia, reported the FDA notified the company the FDA completed the voluntary review of the apple on April 26. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the Arctic Fuji in September 2016. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada approved it

in January 2018.The FDA approved The Arctic Granny

Smith and Golden Delicious in 2015. “Completion of this FDA review is

important news for our company as it marks the last step needed for Arctic Fuji to officially join our commercial orchards,” Neal Carter, president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), which grows the three apples in Washington, said in a news release. “We get a lot of feedback from people about what Arctic variety they’re excited to

see next, and this latest announcement allows us to provide consumers with even more choice when it comes to purchasing value-added fruits for their families to enjoy.”

The apples are grown primarily for the fresh-cut retail and foodservice markets, due to their non-browning feature, but some are sold whole and off-size Arctic Granny Smiths and

See Arctic, Page 14


Cornell Researchers WinMajor Awards from Cider IndustryBy Erin FlynnCornell Chronicle

Chris Gerling, extension associate in the food science department, and Greg Peck, assistant professor in the horticulture section of the School of Integrative Plant Science, both recently received major awards from the cider industry.

Hard cider is a fast-growing segment in the U.S. fermented beverage industry, and New York’s position as a leader in craft beverage production and expertise is paving the way for cider producers to succeed.

“The burgeoning craft beverage industry in New York state has helped create a lot of applicable resources and expertise for cider makers,” said Ian Merwin, Ph.D., owner of Black Diamond Cider and Cornell professor emeritus of plant science. “We can get bottles and equipment from well-established companies in the area. We have the legislative support we need and Cornell experts like Chris Gerling and Greg Peck to help us every step of the way.”

Merwin notes that the benefit of cider makers working with both Gerling and Peck is that they can gain expertise on both ends of the spectrum—when growing the cider apples and when making the cider itself.

Recently Gerling and Peck received major awards from the cider industry.

Gerling was given the Apple of Appreciation award from the New York Cider Association, and Peck was chosen as the Grower Advocate of the Year by the U.S. Association of Cider Makers.

Chris Gerling, who began his career offering extension expertise in the field of enology, found a natural transition into hard cider extension work. Wine and cider have many similarities, including the types of yeast used and the effect of climate, soils and terrain on the overall flavor profile.

“Chris has distinguished himself as being fully invested in improving the quality and profitability of cider made in New York and beyond,” said Jenn Smith, NYCA executive director. “He is as curious as he is knowledgeable and has been central in NYCA’s work to tackle the challenges of measuring and communicating the tricky concept of dryness to drinkers. We are grateful and lucky to have him as a partner in our work of developing a sustainable, excellent cider industry in our region.”

Greg Peck’s research explores ways to increase the quantity and quality of New York–grown cider apples, including best practices for fertilizer, crop load and harvest management. Peck also helps cider makers select varieties that will work best for high-quality and flavorful cider.

Michelle McGrath, executive director of the USACM, said the organization’s

members overwhelmingly voted for Peck to receive the Grower Advocate of the Year award.

“His advocacy for cider at Cornell and his research collaborations with the industry are important for expanding our knowledge of growing cider apples.,” McGrath said.

While hard cider makers have many valuable resources in New York, the recent awards for Gerling and Peck underscore the fact that producers value experts who can help them piece together the many components that equate to a high-quality end product.

To learn more about Cornell’s hard cider research and outreach efforts, visit: https://hardcider.cals.cornell.edu.

Photo by Sasha Israel.Above Greg Peck, assistant professor in the horticulture section of the School of In-tegrative Plant Science working at Cornell Orchards.

Photo by Allison UsavageChris Gerling, extension associate in the Department of Food Science examines a craft beverage sample at Cornell AgriTech.

Giant Food Pharmacyto Prescribe Fruits, VegetablesBy Russell RedmanSupermarket News

At a Giant Food pharmacy in Washington, D.C., fruit and vegetables will soon join pills as prescription options.

Landover, Maryland-based Giant said recently it will participate in a pilot of Produce Rx, a program of local nonprofit D.C. Greens designed to boost access to healthy food.

Under Produce Rx, people who receive benefits via the AmeriHealth Caritas DC managed Medicaid health plan can get a prescription for fruit and

vegetables from a medical professional for a diet-related chronic illness and fill the script in Giant’s supermarket pharmacy at 1535 Alabama Ave. SE in Washington.

Giant said customers can fill the Produce Rx prescriptions during their weekly shopping trips at the store, and each week a Giant pharmacist will give them a $20 coupon for buying fresh fruit and vegetables from the store’s produce department.

“Giant Food is excited to be bringing

See Pharmacy, Page 14


Arctic Golden Delicious are cut into strips and dried for Apbitz snacks.

The three OSF varieties are bioengineered to turn off the enzyme responsible for browning, reducing shrink throughout the supply chain,

according to the release.Arctic apples were first available in

2017, and the company has been ramping up production of the three varieties.

“There have been some major developments for OSF recently, and I’m excited to see what comes next as this is definitely just the start for us,” Carter said in the release.

Under U.S. law, so long as a bioengineered product has been

declared safe to eat and safe to release into the environment, the government has no authority to withhold approval for any other reason.

Deregulation means OSF can now proceed with commercial plantings, so production is still several years away. All Arctic varieties, whether marketed as slices or whole fresh, will be sold in sealed pouches carrying the bioengineered label required by law.

the Produce Rx program to our local Alabama Avenue store,” Giant President Gordon Reid said in a statement.

“As a food retailer, we recognize the important role we can play in the access to healthy foods and health education, and the program is certainly a natural fit with our ongoing efforts to support the health needs of the communities we serve.”

According to DC Greens, Giant’s Alabama Avenue store will serve as the primary pharmacy and supermarket

location for Produce Rx patients. The “food justice” nonprofit — part of DC Health, the District of Columbia’s health department — said the Giant location represents the only full-service grocery store in the district’s eighth ward.

Besides the $20 coupon for produce, participating patients will also receive nutrition education from AmeriHealth Caritas and store tours from Giant’s on-site nutritionist.

“We believe that cross-sector partnerships are the only way to achieve health equity in our city,” said Lauren Shweder Biel, executive director of DC Greens. “Doctors and patients both need more tools to address food insecurity and diet-related chronic

illness. Through Produce Rx, our healthcare system can be a driver to get patients access to the healthy food that they want and need.”

Plans call for the Produce Rx pilot to kick off at the Giant store in a produce-aisle launch event on April 24. Customers can renew Produce Rx prescriptions with their health providers throughout the program, which is slated to run until Dec. 31. The effort will begin with 500 AmeriHealth patients, with a goal of expanding the service to more individuals.

Part of Ahold Delhaize USA, Giant operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. Its stores include 154 full-service pharmacies.

PharmacyContinued from Page 13

ArcticContinued from Page 12

Whole Foods Invests $1.2 Million To Bring More Produce to SchoolsThe Produce News

Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit focused on children’s nutrition and wellness, announced that 602 garden grants will be awarded to schools and school garden-support organizations to sustain edible education gardens.

The $1.2 million investment will serve 457,021 students by providing $2,000 grants in 48 U.S. States and nine Canadian provinces. School gardens provide hands-on experiential learning that ties into every common core subject from math to science to art.

The Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant program provides the grants to K-12 schools to support edible gardens on school grounds. Nonprofit recipients supporting children’s programming are funded to place gardens in non-school environments

such as community gardens, libraries, museums or after-school programs.

“Through our Garden Grant program, schools and nonprofit organizations transform outdoor spaces into vibrant hands-on outdoor classrooms that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity, and inspire them to make healthier choices for meals and snacks,” said Tristana Pirkl, outdoor education leader for Whole

Kids Foundation. “We truly believe in gardens as powerful learning spaces for nutrition, wellness and for all subjects!”

Gardens are becoming an increasingly common educational tool and for good reason: school gardens are shown to improve children’s academic performance and behavior at school and improve their attitudes about and appreciation for the environment. Experiential learning, learning by doing, also helps kids understand concepts in a real work context.

Additionally, only two percent of children eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables, but children who have a hand in growing food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and to be more knowledgeable about nutrition. Edible education gardens inspire children’s curiosity and help develop

healthy eating habits at a young age that can affect their entire family’s eating habits.

“Curiosity is what we think of as our secret weapon,” said Nona Evans, president and executive director of Whole Kids Foundation. “When kids get to grow their own food, that’s when curiosity kicks in. What science tells us is that when kids grow any food, their willingness to try other foods just opens up.

“If we can help kids become aware and understand the connection between what they put in their bodies and how they feel, then we get their curiosity and they will go anywhere.”

Over the past eight years, Whole Kids Foundation has awarded funding for more than 5,400 gardens, investing $10.8 million and benefiting 3.4 million students.

Robot Apple Picker Close to CommercializationBy Tom KarstThe Packer

FF Robotics is close to commercializing its robotic apple picker, according to company co-founders Avi Kahani and Gad Kober, and U.S. growers are expressing

interest.Exhibiting as a tech startup on the

Fruit Logistica expo floor, the Israeli-based company has developed a machine with 12 robotic arms, with six pickers on each side of the machine, according to Kahani. Called the FFRobot, the machine can be adjusted based on the width of the orchard row.

“This (past) year we tested in an apple orchard in November and December,” he said.

The FF Robotics machine enters the apple row and then automatically puts down stabilizers and picks the area on each side, picking fruit based on size and color.

The machine requires one human supervisor, Kahani said. After picking the section, it automatically moves to the next part of the orchard.

The machine has been under development for nearly five years, the co-founders said.

Perhaps the biggest challenge early in the development of the machine was attracting grower interest.

That has changed, Kahani said. With average wages for harvest labor

at an average of about $15 per hour in the U.S. and Europe, and rising, he said growers from all over the world are interested in cutting labor needs.

“A few years ago, growers didn’t want to hear about mechanically picking fruit, but over the last two years, we are hearing from growers everywhere — including China — that they have a shortage of labor,” he said.

Kober said the company plans to sell its first five to seven machines this fall to early adopters and then go into

heavier production by the beginning of 2020.

“We are in good contact with large growers in Washington state, and they are just waiting for us to come with a machine (for sale),” Kober said.

The machine does a good job of handling fruit, with tests showing 3 to 5 percent damage to the fruit, compared with 10 to 15 percent damage common from human pickers, he said.

Some of the toughest engineering problems was programming the robotic arms to work together, Kober said.

Kober said the company’s calculations — based on grower input — indicates the machine could provide a return on investment in two to three years. The cost of the machine is expected to run from $300,000 to $350,000.


estimates of bitter pit loss in NY are at $2.3 million annually, so even modest improvements could have significant impact.

Expanding the Range for Establishing the Samurai Wasp in Orchards and Vegetable Crops -- Nobody likes stink bugs. From homeowners to agricultural enterprises the Asian invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) can cause nuisance as well as significant economic damage. In New York BMSB was first reported in 2012. Since the pest’s arrival, researchers across the country have been working to identify management practices to contain it. The Trissolcus Japonicus, a parasitoid known as the Samurai Wasp has been identified as a viable biological control. Redistribution of the wasp is underway in Oregon and Washington with recent approval by the Department of Environmental Conservation for redistribution in New York. Building on a prior NYFVI project, Peter Jentsch with Cornell University’s Hudson Valley Research Lab, will lead this project to understand the presence of native parasitoid populations to determine the need for biological release of the Samurai Wasps. Activities will include the use of BMSB traps, commercially available smartphone scouting tools and a USDA funded EDDMaps to track the prevalence of BMSB. Following the first year of measurement, the Samurai Wasp will be released in areas where it is deemed necessary to counter BMSB to protect crops.

NYFVIContinued from Page 10

Lidl Maps First U.S. Stores for East CoastThe latest German supermarket

chain to try to get a foothold in the cutthroat U.S. grocery market, Lidl, plans to start with nine locations on the East Coast.

In releasing a list of its first locations, due to start opening June 15, Lidl said it will focus on Virginia, North and South Carolina. But it plans to grow

quickly.Lidl (its name rhymes with “needle”)

intends to open 100 stores by the end of summer 2018.

The chain’s strategy includes smaller stores -- 20,000 square feet on average with six aisles -- and a very heavy emphasis on exclusive brands. Besides packaged food goods, the

Lidl stores will sell wine, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen fish, gluten-free and organic items and baked goods.

In Virginia, Lidl is opening stores in Virginia Beach and Hampton, while in South Carolina, it will have stores in Spartanburg and Greenville.

In North Carolina, Lidl plans to

initially open stores in Kinston, Greenville, Sanford, Rocky Mount and Winston-Salem.

Lidl will be going up against fellow German chain Aldi, which opened its first American store in 1976 in Iowa and now has 1,600 stores in 35 states. Aldi also uses the same smaller store, limited assortment approach.

Raise A Glass Foundation Competition Highlights NY Cider

On May 4-5, the Raise A Glass Foundation hosted its annual wine and spirits competition at the Rochester Institute of Technology Inn & Conference Center in Rochester. This year’s competition was the first time judges reviewed New York ciders. More than 150 cider entries were submitted from across the state. Winners of the event will be announced soon and will appear in the June Core Report. From left, cider judges Amanda McFaul, Adam Washbon, and New York cider maker Jonathan Oakes.


fun and friendly atmosphere will help develop lasting healthy eating habits for its students.”

The Rensselaer City School District plans to use the grant award to create a snack station in the center field of its track to reward students with fresh fruit or vegetables after completing a lap of exercise. Signage placed alongside the track with nutritional information about that day’s snack will illustrate the importance of healthy caloric intake in what USApple hopes will be part of students’ lifelong learning of healthy snacking.

“It is the mission of the Apples4Ed program to provide students access to nutritious snacks while raising awareness of healthy eating patterns,” said USApple Chair Kaari Stannard, who presented the award to the school district. “It was a pleasure recognizing the Rensselaer City School District for its winning approach of combining healthy snacks and education with exercise in an activity that resonates with students and invites

participation.” The Rensselaer City School District

was one of five grant recipients under the 2019 Apples4Ed program. Robert W. Coleman Elementary School in Baltimore, Md., was awarded a grant last week to provide food-filled backpacks to its homeless student population.

The remaining schools will be publicly recognized throughout April and May. Applications for 2020 Apples4Ed funding will open in August.

Apples4Ed is a program created by USApple, in partnership with the School Nutrition Association and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, to financially award schools that encourage daily consumption of healthy, balanced snacks that positively impact student achievement, focus and fitness. To learn more, visit apples4ed.com.

U.S. Apple Association is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business.

GrantContinued from Page 1

and assisting NYSDAM staff in other AMO-related matters as needed. The AMO Advisory Board typically convenes twice a year, either in person or via conference call. Advisory Board

members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses. Nominations are due on or before Friday June 14, 2019.

For more information or to request a nomination form contact William Shattuck, Marketing Order Administrator, at (518) 485-7306 or [email protected].

AMOContinued from Page 1

shortage of agricultural workers is one of the impediments to U.S. farm and ranch families sustainably producing a larger share of fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption.

Citing an April 3 hearing before the Immigration and Citizenship subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee as a good first step toward remedying the worker shortfall, Marsh noted, “…the Congress will need to work quickly to pass legislation and move it off to the President’s desk for signature before the election cycle kicks into high gear. Politicking can quickly stall positive momentum.”

NCAE is the national trade association focusing exclusively on agricultural labor issues from the employer’s standpoint.

NCAE Sets Venue for 2019 Employer Labor Forum

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has selected the M Resort to host its 6th annual Ag Employer Labor Forum in Henderson, NV set for December 4-6, 2019.

Each year, the forum brings together agricultural employers and industry experts to discuss the latest industry news. Attorneys, HR professionals, lobbyists, government officials, and others will share their knowledge with conference attendees.

After receiving positive feedback for the first iteration, NCAE announced it will host another “Advocacy Boot Camp” on Dec 3, the day before the start of the Ag Employer Labor Forum. Registration for the conference and the hotel room block will open at the end of the summer.

NCAEContinued from Page 4

funding for key environmental programs, such as the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program. These programs assist farmers in participating in the certification program.

“The State’s agricultural marketing programs provide our growers and food producers a platform to promote some of the best homegrown and local products in the world,” Governor Cuomo said.

“These programs are key to helping our farmers and food and beverage businesses connect to new markets and increase sales to grow their business and local economies.”

According to the Governor’s Office, Taste NY sales increased to a record $17.8 million in 2018. Total gross sales of New York products from Taste NY events and locations last year, including the opening of six brand-new Taste NY Markets in welcome centers across the state, increased by $1.7 million over the previous year. The continued year-over-year growth reflects increasing consumer demand for local food and beverage products.

“Taste NY continues to provide unprecedented support to our farms and food and beverage businesses, further bolstering the agricultural and tourism industries that are so critical to local economies across the state,” said Cuomo. “New York is proud to connect consumers across the globe with fresh,

locally grown products, and we will continue to empower our farmers, growers and producers to expand their businesses while promoting tourism in every corner of this great state.”

In addition to the funding allocated for Taste NY and in support of New York State Grown & Certified, the Enacted 2020 Budget includes a total of $33.2 million for local assistance to support core agricultural programs that focus on education, research and the development of the industry. The Budget provides $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, which funds agricultural environmental programs, including $18 million for Farmland Protection, $18 million for the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program, $10.5 million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts and $4.5 million for the Climate Resilient Farms Program. The Enacted 2020 Budget also includes $2.5 million in capital funding for the New York State Fair.

To help meet the growing consumer demand for local foods grown or produced to a higher standard, Governor Cuomo launched NYS Grown & Certified in 2016. The program certifies New York State producers—from fruits and vegetables to dairy and maple—who adhere to high food safety and environmental stewardship standards. The program is supported by a marketing campaign including on-product labels, promotional materials and sales materials. NYS Grown & Certified also sponsored several print publications and a television and digital marketing campaign in 2018.

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Documents

New York Growers Testify at State Senate Labor Committee ... · Market Basket and Trader Joe’s tied for fourth at 87. There was a five-way tie for fifth, with Crest Foods, Fareway