I’ve always been a sucker for top ten lists. Whether it’s a film critic’s selection of his top ten movies from the previous year, the daily Top Ten list on The Late Show With David Letterman, or even a ranking of the top ten work-related activities I need to get done each week, I find them very informative and helpful.
So, when I realized that this issue of American Fruit Grower was scheduled to arrive in our readers’ mailboxes right around Thanksgiving, I felt it might be appropriate to reflect on the top ten things that the fruit industry needs to be thankful for. These might not be ground-breaking observations, but at a time when outside forces continue to shape our market, and not always for the better, it’s important to remember that there are indeed a lot of positives taking place every day.
So, without further ado, my “Top Ten List of Things to be Thankful For,” in no particular order, is as follows:
1. The proponents of meaningful labor reform. It seems like this industry is constantly facing an uphill battle on the labor front. But despite the often outspoken voice of opposition to changes to immigration and labor laws, there continue to be organizations and individuals, from the U.S. Apple Association to California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who are working hard to make sure your voice is heard.
2. The fact that the fruit industry has not been dealt a potentially crippling foodborne illness outbreak. Our friends in the leafy greens industry no doubt wish they were in this position. And yet, food safety continues to a lead agenda item at several meetings and conferences this year. This proactive approach can only be a good thing.
3. The Honeycrisp. Here’s a fruit that consumers continue to spend top-dollar on. It may not be easy to grow, but seeing a consumer’s appreciation for a great-tasting apple should be worth the price, literally.
4. The almond industry. Plantings continue to skyrocket, and only recently have prices begun to stabilize. How many other industries can say this?
5. The Young Growers Alliance, an organization of individuals focused on taking the fruit industry to the next level. These tech-savvy, often third- or fourth-generation growers, are the future of the industry, and their primary focus is to continue to learn more.
6. The strong leadership of large growing operations. They may stand tall in overall size, but families such as the Rices, the Lanes, the Mathisons, and others are committed to using their knowledge to improve the industry as a whole.
7. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, which includes a wide variety of organizations making sure the specialty crop industry is recognized as lawmakers draft a new Farm Bill.
8. The constant news reports on the health benefits of blueberries. Sure, we all know that eating fruit is a wise choice, but is there another industry that has benefited more from this information being disseminated to the public?
9. Fresh apple slices. It’s a great-tasting, healthy product, packaged in perhaps the most convenient manner possible for consumers. Could this concept eventually become as popular as what was once a novelty, the bagged salad? I’d bet on it.
10. Quite frankly, I’m thankful for all of you being willing to share your success stories with us and our readers. You’re doing the industry a proud service.
So what are you thankful for? Send me your top ten list, and we’ll publish them in an upcoming issue.