US: Cherry growers join together

Cherry growers will be gathering this Friday for the 69th annual Cherry Institute which will be held at the Yakima Convention Center. As James Michael with the Northwest Cherry Growers explains it brings cherry growers across five states together to share information.

MICHAEL: It’s a meeting we do every year this time and brings in growers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana. It’s research driven, the marketing dynamics talk will go over export promotions, category research, health research, to educate growers on the health research being conducted on their behalf.

Food safety will be one of the main topics discussed as well as program highlights on MRL issues, hand-held thinning, and the prediction and prevention of rain induced cracking. There will also be a special guest speaker this year.

MICHAEL: We brought in Paul Roberts, who is the author of “The End of Food” to give us his look on the current state of food culture in North America. There’s also a panel on food safety; “What Does it Mean to your Orchard” with some Global Gap representatives and some speakers from Northwest Hort Council and other food safety organizations.

And what would the annual cherry institute be without the crowning of the 68th Cherry King, a person selected and recognized for their outstanding service to the cherry industry. For times and registration information call 509-453-4837.

Source: aginfo.net