816-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 9, 1991 Vegetable, Fruit LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff HERSHEY (Dauphin Co.) There’s tremendous potential in marketing special appeal veget ables bqt there is also tremendous risk, participants learned at the Pennsylvania Vegetable Confer ence and Trade Show held at Her shey on January 29 through 31. Rick Van Vranken, a New Jersey extension agent, told grow ers that the key to success is to test the market and start small. “Consumers want quality, varie ty, and anything different,” Vra nken told those attending the work shop on marketing special appeal vegetables. “Anything that is different in shape, size, color or taste can find a niche in the market,” Vranken said. The types of specialty produce and vegetables that have great potential are those with tropical or Pennsylvania Apple Queen Emily Lott of Biglervllle came to the conference to learn new techniques to make her parents’ fruit farm more successful. ethnic ties. Consumers want baby and miniature vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and organic food. Vranken cautioned growers that they must consider the difficulties with special appeal vegetables. “There is little information available on growing the many var ieties. Few pesticides if any should be used.” The vegetables also have post harvest problems because they are extremely perishable and packag Susan and Robert McCutcheon of Frederick, Maryland, offer free samples of their jellies. The most popular is black raspberry, but strawberry, peach, quince, and pump kin butter flavors are also favorites. The McCutcheons offer mail-order services on sparkling cider, apple Juice, and salad dressings In flavors such as vidalla onion and dijon vinegar. ing and labeling is usually a problem. Packaging can often increase the plant’s value. This was shown by the edible lettuce greens grown in the New Jersey area. Those sold in bunches brought only a few pen nies for the growers while those packaged in a carton sold for sever al dollars. Studies show that vegetables and herbs that are packaged with a small pamphlet that tells how the vegetable is grown brings more lucrative results. And a recipe that is supplied with the vegetable leads to more sales. Vranken encourages growers to market products directly to restaur ants, health food stores, gourmet shops, chain stores and consumers. Hanging Baskets For Profit Vegetables and fruit growers who want to add to their profits by raising hanging plants gathered some tips from Lamar Esbenshade, who has been in the Lititz green house business for 32 years. Esbenshade illustrated his talk with slides to show that the way a basket is hung in a greenhouse affects the plants beneath it. He cautioned growers to match the crop below with those above. Both need the same temperatures. “Hang them north to south so that the shadows move. This is Growers Learn What’s New June Alexander of Van Well Nursery shows 37 varieties of apples. For 35 years, Ale xander has been In fruit tree sales In the Ohio area. Her favorite apples are Braeburn, Red Delicious, and Jon A Gold. extremely important,” Esbenshade said, “otherwise the crop under neath will not get enough sun.” It is best to hang the baskets over the aisle so that the water drips in the aisle instead of on top of the plants beneath them. “Don’t overcrowd the green house with baskets or you have a problem,” Esbenshade said. From experience he finds that hanging geraniums are now more popular than fucshia. Impatients and tuberous begonias are next. ‘Try mixing plants in hanging baskets,” Esbenshade said. “Mix in bridal veil and dusty miller, but be careful what you put together or you may crowd things.” Although some hanging baskets look great when first planted, they become unbalanced later. “You must be concerned with what the plant will look like in the months ahead, for ultimately that is what increases business.” To make sure that the plant looks healthy later, Esbenshade advised that slow release fertilizer should be added to a good, porous mix. Ten-inch baskets generally do better than smaller ones. Wall baskets are extremely popular. Color trends lean toward pastel colors. “Red is dominate but losing popularity because pastels show up better under patio lights at night— and that seems to be where most people have hanging baskets," he said. During the conference, more than 100 commercial exhibitors set up displays to show the latest equipment, pesticides, and pro ducts available to vegetable and fruit growers. Food Watch Fruit and vegetable growers find themselves in a nationwide crisis of confidence. To counteract the During the convention, Jack Mickey was elected presi dent of the Pennsylvania Horticulture Association. “This is a valuable conference,” Mickey said. “Those who attend get their pesticide license up to date and receive credits for many of the courses.” unfounded fears of the alar scare that gripped the nation several years ago. Food Watch was found ed as a nationwide program to build confidence in food safety. There is a growing concern in agriculture that a wedge is being driven between fanners and the technology they need to meet increasing demands for-food and fiber. During the Thanksgiving sea son, a TV commercial was aired to build confidence in food safety. The program is launched by the Agriculture Council of America and is supported by contributions. Growers are encouraged to dis play and abide by the Food Watch pledge. The pledge states; • We believe all people have a right to healthful, abundant food. • Food that is nutritious. • Food that is produced and handled safely. • Food that is grown with a deep respect for the environment. • Food that is affordable. • Food that will ensure our future and our children’s future. • Because of these beliefs, 1 pledge; • To use products properly. • To read and follow all label directions. • To produce, process and mark et food responsibly. • To take every precaution and safety measure within my power and encourage others to do the same. Promotion of Pennsylvania Vegetables Daniel Schantz, who chairs the Pennsylvania Vegetable Market ing and Research Program, told growers that the organization has worked hard this past year to send out press kits, food articles, recipes, and special issues on fruit and vegetables to increase sales. Point of purchase material, post ers, ad slicks, logos, and a nutri tional brochure and recipes are available to growers. “You must be willing to speak with reporters and give your side of the story on controversial sub- (Turn to Pago B 17)
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