Strike by Workers at Mott’s Plant May Have Wider Impact

The strike by 300 workers at Mott’s plant in Williamson may have a wider impact. Jim Allen of the New York Apple Association says Mott’s is the largest user of New York apples in New York State. And area growers rely heavily on the plant.

Wayne County is the largest apple growing region in the state and the Mott’s plant processes between six and seven million bushels of apples each year. The apples are kept in cold storage at various places around Wayne County and the apples are used fresh 12 months a year. The Mott’s plant makes both apple juice and applesauce but it is the only plant that produces Mott’s applesauce.

Allen said there are other plants in surrounding states, owned by other companies that would be able to process New York apples, but they are running at capacity. Allen calls the strike an unfortunate situation.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
Strike by Workers at Mott’s Plant

War Of Wines

Debates Over Grocery Store Sales Rages On

Chuck Couture NYFB, Eric Wurl Tops & Howard Ross,

WESTFIELD - On the surface, it seems like a winning proposition for the wine industry: more outlets means more sales, which means more profits.

Legislation contained in Gov. Paterson's proposed budget called the Wine Industry and Liquor Store Revitalization Act would permit the sale of wine in grocery stores and convenience stores.

Representatives from area grocery store chains Tops and Wegmans were at Grapes of Ross Winery in Westfield on Monday to announce their support for the passage of the act. Joining them were representatives from the New York Farm Bureau and a handful of local wineries.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
War Of Wines

Farm Credit Awards $30,000 to Northeast Farm Programs

The Northeast Farm Credit associations and CoBank recently awarded $30,000 to 12 organizations as part of the Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program. The grants help recipients promote northeast agriculture, support youth programs and generate a greater understanding of the Northeast’s vital agricultural, commercial fishing and forest products industries among the nonfarm public.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
Farm Credit Awards $30,000

Economic Aid Often Bypasses Region's Farms

Orange Leaders Get an Earful

Rick Minkus stood amid rows of baby lettuce plants, red and green like Christmas ribbons.

He was talking about the hoops a major retailer made him jump through when they contracted to buy 100,000 pounds of greens from Rick Minkus Farms, then backed out of the deal without buying one leaf. Behind him, workers bent low, pulling weeds.

He was speaking to a group of local political and business leaders. They came in a bus chartered by the Orange County Citizens Foundation and Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County.

To view the rest of the story click on the following link:
Economic Aid Often Bypasses Region's Farms