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NEW YORK STATE

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE

CONCORD grapes

ii      NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES

Western New York’s Concord grape industry exemplifies the very best of this state’s diverse agriculture. By expanding research and marketing opportunities for both Concord grape growers and processors, we can provide a boost to the agricultural community, grow business, and create new jobs in this region and across New York.

ANDREW M. CUOMO Governor, New York State

As a lifelong visitor to neighboring Chautauqua County, I know there is tremendous local pride in the fact that it is the world’s largest contiguous concord grape growing region. Concord grapes grown across the Lake Erie shoreline are an important part of the diverse agricultural landscape of New York State.

KATHY HOCHUL Lieutenant Governor, New York State

The juice of the grape is the liquid quintessence of concentrated sunbeams.

THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK English Novelist and Poet

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      1

Farm to Institution New

York State (FINYS),

pronounced “finesse,” is

a collaborative initiative

led by American

Farmland Trust working

to strengthen the

economic security of

farmers and the health

of New Yorkers by

empowering institutions

to spend at least 25%

of their food budget

on foods grown in New

York. Learn more at

www.finys.org.

Introduction Bite into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or take a swig of grape juice and you will instantly recognize the familiar flavor of Concord grapes. As the second largest grower of Concord grapes in the nation, New York has just the right climate and soil conditions to grow this popular grape varietal. These sweet, tangy fruits are integral to New York’s history and economy, and certainly deserve a place on every institutional menu! Whether served in juice, jelly, pies, or savory entrées, Concord grapes are a hit with all diners and will become a regular on meal menus year-round.

New York Grown Food Guides offer information and resources to support institutions in identifying, sourcing, and procuring local foods from the state. The guides, along with the Farm to Institution New York State Local Food Buyer Learning Center toolkit, equip food service and procurement staff with education and training to incorporate local products into meals to improve the health of New Yorkers and local economies statewide.

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Vitamins C and KPhytonutrients

Grapeful for Knowledge: Concord Grape Facts

In 2018, NYS Department

of Agriculture and Markets

convened the first-ever

New York State Concord

Grape Summit to revitalize

and expand the state’s

Concord grape industry.

Farmers, researchers and

industry leaders met with

state officials to identify

industry growth challenges

and explore new

opportunities for Concord

grape growers in New

York State. To elaborate

on the importance of

this fine fruit and how

it supports New York’s

local economies, NYS

Department of Agriculture

and Markets has created a

short film: https://youtu.

be/k-qoWnO_27Y

A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus Vitis.1

Concord grapes, classified as Vitis labrusca, contain a chemical compound known as methyl anthranilate, which is used to give soft drinks and candy its grape flavor.

Named after their city of origin, Concord, Massachusetts, Concord grapes have been a part of American viticulture since 1854 and have wild, native, New England ancestors. Concord grapes are one of the oldest domestically cultivated grapes grown today and are responsible for making value-added products such as grape juice, wine, and jelly.2

New York is the second largest producer of Concord grapes in the U.S. Each year in New York, growers in the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt produce 121,000 tons or more of Concord grapes on 30,000 acres of vineyards.3 

Grape-related production activities like growing, processing, and winemaking support nearly 2,000 jobs and contribute $340 million in total economic impact in New York State.4

Did you know that New York has its own Grape Discovery Center in Westfield, NY? The Grape Discovery Center is the official Visitor’s Center for the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, designated a New York State Heritage Area in 2006. Developed by the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, it seeks to be an experiential destination that supports and promotes the grape industry through sharing stories and engaging, educating, and informing the public about all things grape.5

Concord grapes are an excellent source of the phytonutrient resveratrol, an important chemical that may help to minimize LDL or “bad” cholesterol to support healthy arteries.6

One cup of grapes, with about 100 calories, provides more than a quarter of the daily recommended values of vitamins K and C. Grape seeds, which are edible, are chock-full of antioxidants.7

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      3

Product Availability, Pack Sizes, and Fruit Quality Characteristics

Concord grapes are a cyclical-type plant with crop yields averaging around six tons per acre. However, yields are impacted not only by weather and growing conditions but also by production trends.8 Concord grapes make up 80 percent of all grapes produced in New York, with the majority of the harvested fruit dedicated to juice. While available fresh in retail stores and farmers markets for out-of-hand eating and mouth-watering grape pies, Concord grapes for institutional markets are most practical in products such as juice, jelly, jams, concentrates, slushies, and smoothies.

The selection and procurement of fresh Concord grapes is determined by knowledge of quality characteristics of the fruit. The information below identifies selection criteria and storage best practices.

QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

When selecting fresh Concord grapes, look for:

Grapes should be plump, not shriveled, with consistent color throughout the entire fruit. Check the base of the stem to ensure firmness. Concord grapes are a “slip-skin” variety with a thick, rather than thin skin (unlike a table grape).

Stems should be green and pliable and not brown, brittle, or dried out. Avoid grapes that have accumulated excess moisture inside the bag as

they will be susceptible to mold and/or rot. Concord grapes should have a white- to silver-colored dust called

bloom that ensures the fruit is protected from dirt and moisture. The majority of grapes should be securely attached to the stem, not

scattered in the bag.

STORAGE

Do not wash grapes before storing and until ready to use. Keep grapes in original packaging. Grape storage bags are specifically

designed to protect fruit and ensure adequate ventilation. Ideal temperature held at 30–32°F. Ideal humidity at 90–95%. Store in a protected area with limited air flow to limit dehydration. Do not store grapes around strong smelling items such as onions and leeks to prevent odor absorption. Shelf life of 1–2 weeks in cooler; longer shelf life if frozen. Grapes are non-ethylene gas sensitive and ripening will not be affected by exposure from other

ethylene-producing produce (apples, bananas, tomatoes).9

Cornell AgriTech has

developed the Everest

Seedless, a new table

grape with Concord

flavors that is double in

size, seedless, and ready

for eating out of hand.

Announced in 2018, this

new grape offers another

option for grape growers

around New York.*

* http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/09/big-blue-everest-seedless-cornells-newest-grape

4      NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES

NEW YORK CONCORD GRAPE PRODUCTS AND INFORMATION

Below are several Concord grape products available for institutional purchase. Product availability, sizes, and quantities are all subject to change, and we encourage you to confirm with distributors for updated products and ordering information.

ITEM SIZE PACKCASE COUNT (PER PALLET) SHELF LIFE ITEM CODE

NY Juice Company Shelf Stable Juice Cup*

4 oz 96 56 12 months 9906172

NY Juice Company Concord Grape Slush Concentrate*

½ gal 6 50 8 months 1362121

Cool Tropics Welch’s Shelf Stable Grape Apple Juice Cup

4 oz 96 56 9 months 17001

Cool Tropics Welch’s Concord Grape Slush

4 oz 60 80 12 months 14501

* Product meets the requirements of the New York Grown & Certified program.

New York Grown & Certified Program, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, indicates that farm products have been inspected for safe food handling and environmental stewardship. For more information: www.certified.ny.gov

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      5

Distributors

Below you will find information on sourcing New York Concord grape products. Distributors’ contacts are subject to change, and we encourage you to reach out to vendors directly to confirm availability and ordering procedures.

FULL SERVICE (BROADLINE) DISTRIBUTORS

Sysco Albany https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Albany 518-877-3200

Sysco Long Island https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Long-Island 631-342-7400

Sysco Metro New York https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Metro-New-York 201-433-2000

Sysco Syracuse https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Syracuse 315-672-7000 or 800-736-6000

US Foods https://www.usfoods.com/locations.html#filterSimpleTags=us-foods:states/ny

Ginsberg Foods Inc. https://ginsbergs.com/ 518-828-4004 or 800-999-6006

Latina Boulevard Foods https://www.latinaboulevardfoods.com/ 716.656.8400

Renzi Foodservice http://www.renzifoodservice.com/ 315-788-5610 or 1-800-633-4311

Preparation Suggestions and Recipes PREPARATION IDEAS

Mix grape juice and gelatin for healthy “grape squares” dessert. Combine grape juice and frozen yogurt or frozen bananas for a healthy “Purple Cow” smoothie. Combine grape juice or jelly and peanut butter/sunflower seed butter, yogurt, milk, and bananas for a

stunningly delicious PB & J smoothie. Simmer grape juice down with lime juice, lime zest, and grated ginger and drizzle over berries or fruit

salad for a tropical twist. Add berry seltzer with Concord grape juice for a celebratory sparkling beverage. Reduce grape juice down to replicate a version of mosto cotto or saba, an ancient Italian condiment

produced as a byproduct of balsamic vinegar. This sauce can be used to add complexity and sweetness to meat dishes, or drizzled on vegetables to give a flavor boost.

Make a Monte Cristo sandwich with ham, Swiss or Cheddar cheese, and grape jelly. Add a grape jelly glaze to BBQ chicken, in sweet and sour meatballs, or slow cooked with

smoked sausages.

Grape Banana SmoothiePREP TIME: 10 min

YIELD: 50 servings

 

INGREDIENTS

Bananas, peeled and sliced, 25 each

Greek yogurt, vanilla, 6.25 quarts

Grapes, seedless, red, 6.25 quarts

Concord grape juice, 6.25 quarts

Cinnamon, ground, 1.5 tsp

DIRECTIONS

1. Place bananas and grapes in freezer until firmly frozen.2. Combine frozen fruits, yogurt, grape juice and cinnamon in

blender and blend until smooth. Portion into cups and enjoy cold.

Recipe adapted from Welchs.com

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NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      7NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CABBAGE      7

Festive Berry Salad with Grape and Honey GlazeCOOKING TIME: 30 min

SERVING: 0.5 cup 

YIELD: 50 servings

 

INGREDIENTS

Berry mix or assorted fruits, 50 cups (3.125 gallons)

Honey, 3.125 cups 

Concord grape juice,  12.5 cups (3.125 quarts)

Vanilla extract, 0.25 cups

Mint, chopped, 6.25 tsp  (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. To make the grape and honey glaze, combine grape juice, honey, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil and continue to cook uncovered until reduced by half. Transfer to a heatproof container and cool completely in the fridge. 

2. When ready to serve, divide the berries into portions and top with 2 tablespoons grape and honey glaze each. If using, sprinkle with mint.

This berry fruit salad can be marinated for 10 minutes or overnight for an added burst of grape flavor.

Recipe adapted from Welchs.com

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      7

Chicken and Grape Kebabs with Thyme

COOKING TIME: 20 min

SERVING: 0.5 cups

YIELD: 50 servings

INGREDIENTS

Chicken, thighs, boneless, skinless, 12.5 lb. 

Yogurt, plain, 3.125 cups

Thyme, fresh, 50 sprigs  (~1 bunch)

Garlic, smashed, 37.5 cloves  (~4 heads)

Onion, red, coarsely chopped,  12.5 ea.

Olive Oil, 3.125 cups

Grape juice, 12.5 cups (3.125 quarts)

Bay leaf, 13 each

Grapes, 12.5 cups

Salt & pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the extra virgin olive oil, yogurt, grape juice, thyme, bay leaf and garlic into a large sealable plastic freezer bag. Add 3 teaspoons of salt and 3 teaspoons of pepper to the marinade and stir to combine. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

2. Remove the chicken from the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Remove pieces from the marinade and pat them dry; set aside on a clean plate. Meanwhile, submerge skewers in cold water for 10 minutes; this helps prevent flare-ups on the grill.

3. Onto each skewer thread a piece of chicken followed by a grape; repeat until the chicken and grapes are used up. Meanwhile, preheat a lightly oiled grill to medium-high heat.

4. Transfer the chicken skewers to the grill and cook for 4 minutes per side until completely cooked, about 16 minutes total. Let the skewers rest for 10 minutes before serving.

NOTE: Instead of skewers, chicken and grapes can be baked on sheet trays or sautéed on the flat top.

Recipe adapted from Welchs.com

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NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      9

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CABBAGE      9

Grape Glazed Carrots

COOK TIME: 30 min

YIELD: 60 servings

 

INGREDIENTS

Grape juice, 15 cups  (3.75 quarts)

Carrots, medium, peeled,  1⁄4 in slices, 80 each

Brown sugar, 1.25 cups

Cornstarch, 1.25 cups 

Salt and pepper, to taste

Balsamic vinegar, 1.25 cups

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small cup, stir together 2 tbsp of the grape juice and the cornstarch for a slurry.

2. Bring one quart of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the carrots and salt to the water. Cook until the carrots are tender. Drain well and reserve.

3. In the same saucepan, heat the remaining grape juice, sugar, and balsamic vinegar until boiling. Stir in the cornstarch mixture. Stirring constantly, simmer until the sauce thickens.

4. Add the carrots and stir until coated. Pour into a serving bowl and serve immediately.

This easy-to-make side dish is a great way to spice up your carrots.

Recipe adapted from Welch’s.com

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      9

10      NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES

Case Study: New York Concord Grapes to Schools Project

In spring of 2019, American Farmland Trust, as part of the collaborative initiative Farm to Institution New York State, joined students, teachers, and other staff at Armor Elementary School in Hamburg Central School District for a special New York Thursdays lunch. Hamburg is one of 10 school districts across the state that featured a taste test of New York State Grown & Certified Concord Grape Juice as part of the Grape-to-School Pilot Program.

Developed in partnership with the state of New York, Grape-to-School built upon existing Farm to School and No Student Goes Hungry initiatives in New York to help introduce New York State Grown & Certified Concord Grape Juice to schools as an additional option to help reach their New York grown foods purchasing goals.

Taste testing new local products, like the New York State Grown & Certified Concord Grape Juice, creates a low-pressure environment for both students and food service staff to promote a school culture of food curiosity and ultimately expand their school lunch menu. By offering smaller portions of new and potential menu items, taste tests increase the likelihood that students will try something new.

Taste tests are especially effective when coupled with educational programming about the new food item or opportunities for students to participate in preparation. A review process at the end of a taste test—asking students to vote on whether or not they liked the taste test item—gives students agency over their school meal options and gives the school food service staff confidence in which new items would do well on the lunch menu.

In Hamburg, the featured “Growing Grape” juice cups, processed by New York Juice Company with Concord grapes sourced from Westfield Maid Cooperative, were part of a locally-sourced lunch that included beef hot dogs from Slate Foods and milk from Upstate Farms—both also New York Grown and Certified— Marquart Farms’ New York Chips, and Bandit Beans from the Genesee Valley Bean Company. The event, organized by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in collaboration with Hamburg Central Schools and American Farmland Trust, brought together representatives from the office of NYS Assembly member Sean Ryan, Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, and Slate Foods to help hand out samples and talk to students about farm to school.

As you can see from the photos, students

enthusiastically participated in the festivities and the

grape juice was a hit!

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      11

Grapes in the Classroom California Table Grape Commission lesson plans for K–12

schools: https://www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/community-outreach/grapes-in-the-classroom/

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Produce Cards, including grape facts: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/f2s/documents/NYSDAM_Produce_Cards-2009.pdf

Grape Lesson created by the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University (www.tc.edu/tisch) in conjunction with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farm to School Program for the First Lady’s Challenge “Healthy Steps to Albany” (www.healthystepstoalbany.ny.gov): https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/f2s/documents/Classroom_Lessons_TC_8_2009.pdf

Oregon Harvest for Schools campaign featuring grape promotional and educational materials for classroom use: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/childnutrition/F2S/Pages/OregonHarvestforSchools.aspx

SNAP-Ed grape information: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide/grapes

12      NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES

Concord Grape Resources FARM TO INSTITUTION RESOURCES

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets New York State Grown and Certified: https://certified.ny.gov/wheretobuy Farm to School: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/f2s/ Farmers Markets: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AP/farmers_markets.html GAP or GHP Certified Farms: https://apps.ams.usda.gov/GAPGHP/reportG05.aspx Harvest of the Month resources: https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/f2s/resources.html

New York State Department of Education Farm to School: http://www.cn.nysed.gov/farmtoschoolCornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York: https://harvestny.cce.cornell.edu/Local and Regional Food Systems at Cornell: http://localfood.cornell.edu/Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Program: https://cvp.cce.cornell.edu/New York State Farm to School Work Group: http://nyfarmtoschool.com New York Farm Bureau: https://www.nyfb.org/resources Northeast Organic Farming Association: https://nofa.org/National Resources Conservation Service: https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=NYCenter for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship: http://www.cadefarms.org/

REGIONAL RESOURCES

Adirondack North Country Association: https://www.adirondack.org/ Adirondack Farm to School Initiative: https://www.adkfarmtoschool.com/ Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County Farm to School:

http://erie.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/farm-to-school Food & Health Network of South Central New York:

https://foodandhealthnetwork.org/farm-to-school/ Capital Roots: https://www.capitalroots.org

NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES      13

FOOD HUBS & AGGREGATORS

Capital Roots: https://www.capitalroots.org/programs/virtual-veggie-mobile/ Catskills Food Hub: https://www.catskillsfoodhub.org Corbin Hill Food Project: https://corbinhill-foodproject.org/ Farm Fresh: http://www.farmfreshny.com/local-produce.html Field Goods: https://www.field-goods.com/ GrowNYC’s Greenmarket Co: http://www.greenmarketco.org Headwater Food Hub: https://www.headwaterfoodhub.com Jerry Shulman Produce: http://www.shulmanproduce.com/ North Star Food Hub: http://www.northstarfoodhub.com/ The Farm Bridge: https://thefarmbridge.com The Hub on the Hill: https://www.thehubonthehill.org Upstate Growers and Packers: https://www.unygap.com/

ENDNOTES

1 Wikipedia contributors. (2019, August 28). Grape. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:54, September 17, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grape&oldid=912838118

2 https://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Concord_Grapes_20251.php

3 https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AD/release.asp?ReleaseID=3725 New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to Promote New York Concord Grape Industry at National Restaurant Association Trade Show in Chicago Press Release—5/18/2018, New York Department of Agriculture and Markets.

4 Ibid.

5 http://www.grapediscoverycenter.com/about-the-grape-discovery-center

6 https://www.concordgrape.org/bodynutrition.html

7 https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/8-healthy-facts-about-grapes#1

8 https://www.farmcrediteast.com/knowledge-exchange/Blog/todays-harvest/concord-grape-belt

9 https://semcoice.com/cooling/cooling-storing-grapes-after-harvest/

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F NYSFARM TO INSTITUTION

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