August 17, 2013
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – The date that apple growers, Michigan apple eaters and buyers alike have been waiting for is here! Harvest began in Southwest Michigan this week for two important commercial varieties.
Crop condition.
Throughout Michigan apple orchards, growers are pinching themselves to make sure it’s real: This has been one of the best growing seasons in a long time. Words like “vintage crop,” are being tossed about. Michigan expects to have larger-than-normal volume, individual fruit size is likely to be larger than usual and Brix levels have been enhanced by recent dry weather. Color is good thanks to abundant sunshine, and timing is right on normal. Riveridge anticipates the crop will pack well and have a wide range of sizes for every product.
Experience shows in harvest. We’re fully staffed for harvest, and one of our key leaders is Rick Zemaitis, a 23-year employee. We call him our Chief Excellence Enforcer in the orchard because he monitors the growing practices, harvest, tree health, fruit quality – all of the factors that go into a high-quality apple pack.
USDA Michigan Tree Fruit Rotational Survey, 2011, available. The most recent census of tree fruit – and the apple crop in Michigan – is available here. This survey indicates the number of apple trees by variety, age of trees by variety, acreage by variety and the area of the state where these varieties are planted.
Now picking! First off the trees are Michigan summer apples – Paula Red and Ginger Gold – which we’ve just begun shipping to stores. Riveridge growers will next harvest Gala and McIntosh. We’ll have promote-able volumes a few days after harvest. (The entire 2013 harvest schedule is here.) After a year “off,” we know shoppers are eager to enjoy Michigan apples, so place your orders soon.
Merchandising tip: Create a Back-To-School display by cross-promoting lunchboxes, small plastic food containers together with lunchbox-sized apples bulk or poly-bagged. Stripe the apple display with bright crimson Paula Reds, sweet greenish-yellow Gingergolds and early Galas. (Then post a photo of your display on our Twitter feed.) Riveridge can provide you free signage and recipe cards for all popular varieties. You can order these materials yourself on the Michigan Apple Committee website here.
Quick Take:
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Hope to see you Aug. 20 at The Packer’s Midwest Produce Conference & Expo in Chicago. We’ll be in Booth 731.
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Catch Riveridge ads with a focus on our harvest and field experience-advantage in the Aug. 26 issue of The Packer, the Aug. 26 Produce News, and the Sept. 2 Produce Business.
Tweetin’ out the latest. For quick updates and photos of Michigan’s apple harvest, follow Riveridge Produce on Twitter.
Sincerely,
Dawn Geers Rog Geers Brian Johnson
Melissa Dubridge Russell Comport Don Armock
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