Jul 12, 2021

Hazel Tech hosting free Apple Quality Summit focused on variety, variability

Hazel Technologies Inc., a USDA-funded technology company delivering solutions for fresh produce to extend shelf-life, increase sales, and fight food waste, has scheduled its July virtual Apple Quality Summit.

The one-hour event will be held on July 16 at 10 a.m. CST .

The summit will feature keynote speakers from across the industry ahead of the 2021 North American apple season. The event will include a category trends presentation led by Ann-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics, a Grower Perspectives Panel including Tom Facer, president of Farm Fresh First of Oakfield, New York and Roger Umlor, owner of Umlor Orchards, exclusive apple grower for BelleHarvest Sales, of Conklin, Michigan, and postharvest solutions discussions by Hazel Tech’s Enrique Garcia Perez and Mario Cervantes.

“The apple category size, in addition to the dynamic pre- and postharvest technologies Hazel Tech brings to the apple industry, are a few of the exciting reasons to highlight this innovative category at the upcoming summit,”  Roerink, said in a news release. Roerink will present on the latest category trends and dig into the data on variety performance across retail segments.

“The learning curve never ends and there is always something new in the farming industry.  At Umlor we keep up on new technologies, varieties, and farming techniques in general, but every year is different,” Umlor said. “This forum is a great opportunity to share our experiences and to support the category through the exchange of new information.”

Umlor Orchards farms on 600 total acres, with over 340 acres dedicated to apples that are packed and stored for BelleHarvest Sales, one of the largest apple marketers in the  Eastern U.S. and the second-largest apple packer in Michigan.

Farm Fresh First LLC includes growers and managers across the United States. Specific to apples, the company has invested heavily in advancing New York state growers and markets fruit for over 100 individual growers. “Our industry faces an ever-changing set of challenges. At Farm Fresh First we believe in expanding agricultural research so growers can stay ahead of these challenges, stay in operation and continue to deliver top-quality produce to consumers,” Facer said.

Hazel Tech’s ability to integrate fruit quality protection technology across the supply chaini is different than shelf-life extension products. Postharvest scientist, Enrique Garcia Perez will present on conditioning recommendations and postharvest quality protection for popular varieties.

In addition, Mario Cervantes, senior business development manager at Hazel Tech, will discuss the suite of technologies developed by Hazel to meet growers’ needs. Hazel solutions tailored for the apple category includeHazel 100 bin and box sachets ideal for early season partial application, Hazel CA quick-release 1-MCP and Hazel Datica cold storage monitoring.

Hazel Tech Quality Summits bring together experts and leaders in postharvest research, qualitative and quantitative market analytics, farming, and shelf-life extension technology to present at their crop focused virtual events.

The Apple Quality Summit is a free event.

Registration is open to the general industry until July 16t, or until capacity is reached.
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To register, click here.

Speakers

Anne-Marie Roerink
Founder and Principal of 210 Analytics

210 Analytics, LLC provides customized research and marketing strategies with a specialty in food retailing. Working closely with retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, manufacturers and trade associations, 210 Analytics offers an in-depth perspective on the changing nature of the consumer, shopper and the food retailing business. Its consumer-centric studies often serve as a catalyst for industry growth by providing deep category insight and solutions. Find Anne-Marie Roerink on LinkedIn for frequent industry updates. For more information, visit www.210analytics.com

Enrique Garcia Perez
Postharvest Scientist at Hazel Technologies

Giancarlo Colelli is Professor of Postharvest Technology of Horticultural and Coordinator of the Doctorate Program on Management of Innovation in Agricultural and Food Systems of the Mediterranean Region at the University of Foggia, Italy. He holds an Agricultural Science degree from the University of Bari, Italy and completed extensive postgraduate training at the University of Bari, the Istituto Valorizzazione Tecnologica Prodotti Agricoli of Milan, Italy and from the University of California Davis.

Roger Umlor
Owner of Umlor Orchards

Umlor Orchards is a family-owned grower/packer/shipper of apples, cherries, peaches and asparagus based in Conklin, MI. Started in 1999, today Umlor Orchards farms over 600 total acres, and stores and packs apples exclusively for BelleHarvest Sales. For more information, visit
https://www.michiganapples.com/About/Meet-the-Growers/Growers/ID/5/The-Umlor-Family‍

Tom Facer
President of Farm Fresh First

Farm Fresh First, LLC is an agricultural raw products supply and services company specializing in fruits, vegetables and popcorn for the processing industry. Formed in January 2007, the ownership of the company is comprised of over 15 growers and agricultural managers. Farm Fresh First’s staff of experienced agricultural managers works very closely with customers to match their needs on a daily basis to the acreage that is produced specifically for the customer. Farm Fresh First focuses on the production of apples peaches, cherries, lima beans, spinach, collards, peas and turnips. For more information, visit www.farmfreshfirst.com

Mario Cervantes
Senior Business Development Manager at Hazel Technologies, Inc.

Mario Cervantes has worked in the fresh produce industry for over a decade, and currently serves as Senior Business Development Manager for Hazel Technologies, a leading post-harvest solutions provider for the fresh table grape industry. Starting his career as a grower working on his family farm in Mexico, he saw first-hand the power of technology to modernize the fresh produce supply chain. Prior to Hazel Technologies, Mario held roles at Compac Sorting Equipment and Spectrum Technologies. He holds degrees from Tufts University and a Masters Degree in Agribusiness from Kansas State University.