Eastern Apples business updates

Crunch Time Apple Growers adds firms

Wolcott, N.Y.-based Crunch Time Apple Growers has added Hess Bros. in Leola, Pa., and Niagara Fresh, Burt, N.Y., to its sales network, said Mark Russell, chairman of the marketing committee with Crunch Time.

El Vista Orchards upgrades line

Fairfield, Pa.-based El Vista Orchards is installing an apple grading line, said David Benner, general manager.

"This will replace our old line, where, basically, sorting and packing was done manually. Now, we'll have the computer doing sizing and defect and color sorting," Benner said.

The new system, which will cost about $1 million, won't be ready until after the upcoming harvest begins, Benner said. "That's disappointing," he said. "I'm sure the manufacturer will do what they can once it's all here. I just have to relax and know they're going as hard as we can go."

Fowler Farms hires apple veteran

Dave Williams is now vice president of sales and marketing with Wolcott, N.Y.-based Fowler Farms.

Williams, a 25-year veteran of the produce business, came to the company in March from Tastee Apples in Newcomerstown, Ohio, where he was vice president of sales.

Williams is a native of Skaneateles, N.Y.

Fowler Bros. also recently opened a new building for all of its sales and administrative functions, Williams said.

"It gives us a nice platform to work from, with the intent, obviously, to grow the business," he said. Fowler Farms also plans to raze an old storage building and build a new controlled-atmosphere storage facility in its place, Williams said. As of early August, there was no timeframe for construction of the new building, Williams said.

Red Jacket Orchards boosts production

Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, N.Y., has been working toward expanding production of its core varieties, said Mark Nicholson, executive vice president.

"We've been pretty active in growing nursery trees to get our own production up in these new varieties," he said.

Red Jacket also is seeing growth on the fresh apple production side as well as the apple beverage side - "everything from fall cider to 100% apple juices," Nicholson said.

The company also is working to grow its proprietary Seneca Crisp apple variety, which came out of its heirloom program, Nicholson said.

"We see an opportunity for having our own proprietary varieties for our partners who want what nobody else can get," Nicholson said. Red Jacket is working to build Seneca Crisp production to about 20 acres, he said.

"I think we're probably about halfway there after last year's plantings," he said. "We probably have about 5 acres coming into production this year - enough to get our key partners started."

Rice Fruit hires saleswomen

Gardners, Pa.-based Rice Fruit Co. recently added two people to its sales staff when it hired Maggie Reid Travis and Jill Hughey, said John Rice, president.

Both have "years of experience" in apples and peaches in Pennsylvania, Rice said. "Maggie's family runs an organic fruit farm. Jill Hughey's family even owned their own packinghouse, and Jill managed it for several years," Rice said.

Sun Orchard Fruit makes upgrades

Burt, N.Y.-based Sun Orchard Fruit Co. has upgraded its production line, said Tim Mansfield, sales/marketing director.

The improvement makes production more efficient and ensures "a better job, as far as (gently) handling the fruit," Mansfield said. "It's more on the front end of the line, where apples are introduced to the packing line."

Teeple Farms deer-proofs orchards

Wolcott, N.Y.-based Teeple Farms has deer-proofed its growing operation, said John Teeple, owner.

"We've almost completely fenced in our farm to keep the deer population out," he said.

Deer had been wandering over to the orchards from nearby Chimney Bluffs State Park, Teeple said.

"We're next to a about a thousand-acre state park, and the deer have been just running over us the last few years," Teeple said.

Teeple estimated the fence at "probably 5 miles long." The fence went up in 2015, he said.

The company already is seeing results, Teeple said.

"We're very pleased with what we're seeing in new growth in the trees," he said.

"A lot of damage was happening in the wintertime. Deer were eating all the buds off in the lower half of the trees."

The fence isn't a guaranteed solution, but it comes close, Teeple said. "What we're mainly doing is trying to change their pattern," he said. "Deer can jump over it, but they don't like to. You get a lot of pressure when you first put it up, but the deer shift and go someplace else."

Teeple Farms also has expanded the amount of acreage it is irrigating this year, Teeple said.

About 25% of the operation's 300 acres now is irrigated, Teeple estimated.

Virginia Apple Board

The Virginia Apple Board and Virginia Apple Growers Association have updated their website, www.virginiaapples.net, said Elaine Lidholm, communications director with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.