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05/11/10Apple Profit Protection for Local Economies (APPLE)Last week, New York Senator Chuck Schumer announced his plan to introduce legislation entitled the Apple Profit Protection for Local Economies Act (APPLE-Act). The legislation would provide up to $20 million dollars per year for USDA to give out low-interest loans and grants to orchard owners to upgrade their orchards.The objective, as stated, was to plant new and more profitable varieties. This announcement came as a surprise and shock toboth the New York apple industry as well as the rest of the apple-producing country. Since both the New York Apple Association and the US Apple Association had no prior knowledge of this "act," we were all somewhat blindsided.I received a call from a local newspaper that asked, "Why should taxpayer's dollars be used to subsidize apple... |
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05/07/10Think Prevention—Live LongOn May 8th at the River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, 83-year-old retired cherry grower, Joe Gamble will be suiting up in his "Powered by Red Cherry" gear to put it all on the line. Joe normally runs in the 5k race, however this year he is going for the 10k race. Using cherry juice as a part of his training routine, Joe is a believer that prevention is key to events like these. Joe lives an active lifestyle and is the envy to many. Still skiing with his kids and running marathons at 83 is as good as it gets. Cheer on Joe in the race.... he'll be wearing the Cherries: Powered by Red gear. Go Joe! |
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05/03/10The Way Out of the WildernessLast July, we were contacted by a University of Michigan professor and encouraged to work with their MBA Program to look for new ways to expand cherry sales. Today, the University of Michigan has one of the top MBA programs in the country, and it seemed natural to challenge the best and brightest talent.We submitted an application in the fall to the Ross Business School, and, to our surprise, our proposal ranked number one by both the faculty and the students out of over a 100 proposals. With six of the university's top MBA students assigned to the cherry project, the work started on March 11. Last week, after seven weeks of work and over 1,600 person hours, the students presented their report to a packed boardroom of cherry industry leaders, processors, marketers, growers and... |
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04/29/10Racial profilingGreetings from the Empire State, still the home of dysfunctional government and out-of-control spending, but it is home. Our spring sprung early, but so far the orchards of New York have escaped any weather injuries, and, as of this very moment, a record crop looms ahead for our apples. Of course, ever year on April 29th I say that, only to revise and reevaluate the crop each day as we move forward. On Wednesday, we had snow in western New York, and today, it is high 60s and sunny…so as the ole Yiddish saying goes, G.W.W.P: God Willing and Weather Permitting, we will have a crop.Switching gears, the recent developments in Arizona have certainly raised awareness about racial profiling. Something that we are way too familiar with. I want to share a recent statement that I made... |
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04/26/10On the StripSo, what do you think of when someone HAS to go to Las Vegas to attend a convention? Yes, I know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, my recent visit (April 20-23) was all business!Attendance at the United Fresh 2010 convention was a low-key event for a seasoned convention attendee like me. Believe it or not, gambling is not my thing but walking around and watching humanity is, so Las Vegas provides many an opportunity. The convention was excellent for Food Safety and Traceability information, but I spent most of two days walking the exhibition floor meeting with packers and talking with vendors. In addition, several East Coast producers were in attendance adding to the speculation of what the 2010 apple harvest will bring from Washington. ‘More of the best’ is... |
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04/25/10Weathering the Weather … Whether we like it or notIt is late April, and all of us are hoping that frost season has come and gone for the year. As I was heading to a grower meeting in Grandview yesterday, I noticed that the temperature in the Yakima Valley was 54 degrees at 7:15 a.m. Certainly, the day was shaping up to be a great day for our bees and the pollination we need to set our tree fruit crops. In fact, based on degree days, this year so far is the fifth warmest we have seen in the past 15 years. In 2009, we saw the coldest January, February, and March in the past 20 years. In stating the obvious, the weather has as much impact on our crops as any other factor. The susceptibility of weather damage on soft fruit is constant threat throughout the year. On cherries, our growers go from fearing winter freeze, to spring frost... |
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04/24/10Precovery vs. RecoveryThe Boston Marathon was this week and was one of our big races this spring. Eating right in preparation for one ofthese events, both before and after a race, is critical. The Red Recovery Routine has tips on how cherries are a naturalfit in your work-out program. Whether it is recovery or just to stay in shape, superfruits can do the heavy lifting. Today you don't have to goto the Amazon to buy the hottest new superfruit. American farmers are growing them right here in our backyard, reducing the use of carbonand making the environment more sustainable.Pass the cherries please....Phil |
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04/21/10Marketing with social technologyToday’s consumer is not the passive consumer of 10 or 20 years ago. Consumers want to be involved in the products they purchase. They have many more outlets for learning about what they purchase and they let their feelings about products be known to their “circle of friends” that could number in the thousands thanks to today’s social media networks. |
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04/16/10Apple factsDid you know?Of the 21,400,000+ cartons of Washington State apples exported through March 2010;· 43.59% are Red Delicious, 21.69% are Gala, 10.24% are Fuji, 9.43% are Granny Smith, 9.06% are Golden Delicious and 5.98% are ‘other’ varieties.· Mexico accounts for 64.7% of all Golden Delicious exported from Washington.· Taiwan accounts for 77.8% of all Fuji’s exported.· India is on target to import over 2 million cartons of Washington apples this year – and 95% are Red Delicious.· Our industry is... |
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04/14/10Cherries…or Cheerios?Moms are the gate keeper for the choices we have in our meals. |
