Marketing

Severn Named Interim President of the Washington Apple Commission

The Washington Apple Commission has named Ken Severn as its interim president to replace Dave Carlson.Citing the need to go in “a different direction,” on July 24 the board voted 8 to 1 to place... more »

Not-So-Peachy Years Require Diverse Measures

Back-to-back “100-year freezes” in the early 1980s convinced the Watson family they had too many eggs in the peach basket, and that started a gradual shift to more vegetable production. Three years ago, the South... more »

Honeycrisp Storage a Growing Challenge as Supplies Increase

As more and more Honeycrisp apples are planted and growers strive to profit from the boundless consumer demand for this crunchy, juicy apple, the marketing pattern will likely change. There’ll be more Honeycrisp to sell... more »

USDA Announces $28.4 Million for Hort Crop Research

The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service announced June 16 that it “anticipates a Specialty Crops Research Initiative funding opportunity,” signaling university and other research horticulturists to get ready to submit proposals for research... more »

Washington Apple Commission President Placed on Leave

The president of the Washington Apple Commission, Dave Carlson, is going on paid administrative leave as of Sept. 1, by action of the Board of Directors at a July 24 meeting, according to the commission.Citing... more »

Poor Weather Has Cut Size of Most U.S. Fruit Crops

Crummy spring weather coast to coast has reduced the production for most fruit crops. The word “record” was used only once – for blueberries – during the 53rd annual Fruit Crop Guesstimate. The Guesstimate, sponsored... more »

Cherry Industry Administrative Board Sets ‘Free’ Percentage at 90

The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB), which administers the federal marketing order governing red tart cherries, recommended that the free percentage be set at 90 percent and the restricted percentage at 10 percent.The decision was... more »

Poor Weather Has Cut Size of Most U.S. Fruit Crops

By Dick Lehnert Managing EditorCrummy spring weather coast to coast has reduced the production for most fruit crops. The word “record” was used only once – for blueberries – during the 53rd annual Fruit Crop... more »

Growers, Processors Vote to Continue Cherry Marketing Order

USDA announced in May that tart cherry producers and processors in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin voted to continue their federal marketing order, known as the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB).Four... more »

‘Buy Local’ Is More Than Just a Marketing Gimmick

If you’re older than 50, you probably remember when “buy local” might have been a slogan you used if you were involved in a boycott of bananas, oranges and iceberg lettuce. Not that many years... more »