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)