Fruits

China could be big market for blueberries

Speaking to a farm group in December, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said he learned from a recent trade mission to Asia that the Chinese people “love Michigan blueberries. That’s an example of the opportunities we... more »

Arctic Apples still seeking approval

USDA opened a second round of public comments on the deregulation of Arctic Apples, which have been genetically modified to be non-browning. The comment period expires Jan. 30. Since 2011, Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), based... more »

Cranberry research seeks longer shelf life

A new adjunct professor at Washington State University (WSU) is trying to find ways to extend the cranberry season beyond the fall and winter holidays. Frank Caruso recently retired after 28 years at the University... more »

Members appointed to blueberry council

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed nine members and their alternates to serve on the national U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Each representative will serve a three-year term of office beginning Jan.1.Members appointed include producers... more »

Bair named CEO of USApple

James “Jim” Bair will join U.S. Apple Association (USApple) in January as the nonprofit organization’s president and CEO. Bair comes to the association from the North American Millers' Association (NAMA), where he worked for almost... more »

USDA weighs risks of Chinese apples

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently released a draft pest risk assessment covering fresh apples from China. The assessment, which weighs the risks of allowing imported Chinese fresh apples into the U.S.... more »

Minimum wage hike will hurt California growers

On top of all the other pressures California fruit growers are facing – rising input costs, labor shortages and tightening water supplies – they are now looking at a $2-per-hour hike in the state’s minimum... more »

Efficiency, quality improve with new cherry packing lines

Stemilt Growers’ new cherry packing line at the company’s facility in Wenatchee, Wash., is already paying dividends by trimming labor costs and allowing operators to capture fruit sizes more accurately, according to company officials. Stemilt... more »