Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story
Based on his debates on immigration reform, it is a waste of time. In a message dated 10/17/2007 4:00:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: OK OK guys I will attempt to straighten out Lou - maybe he would let me on the show to debate it!!! On Oct 17, 2007, at 1:49 PM, George M. Greene wrote: Hi Bill and All: When I worked in Pennsylvania most apple pickers made AT LEAST $10/HOUR. The old sob stories of apple growers exploiting orchard workers WERE JUST NOT TRUE. They worked real hard and made good money. Workers pruning were also making a minimum of $10/HOUR Please, a PR person in the apple industry needs to straighten them out. Tim Smith is right on!!! Best regards, George Unfortunately, the text implies that rather than the $2/day chinese apple pickers earn, apple pickers in America earn $9-$15 (a day). As a publisher, perhaps you (Matt) could remind them that integrity is all the news media has to convince readers/listeners of the veracity of their stories. You might also want to tell them how long this has been going on, and that news is best served fresh. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center _www..nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html_ (http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html) - Original Message - From: _Matt McCallum_ (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) To: _Apple-Crop_ (mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net) Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... _http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320_ (http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320) . --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 _http:www.freshcut.com_ (http:www.freshcut.com) _http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com_ (http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com/) _http://www.vegetablegrowersnew..com_ (http://www.vegetablegrowersnew.com/) _http://www.spudman.com_ (http://www.spudman.com/) -- George M. Greene II 68 Willow Lane Wiscasset, ME 04578 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) 207-882-8074 = Jim Bittner Singer Farms 6730 East Lake Rd Appleton, NY 14008 Phone 716-778-7330 Fax 716-778-7003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.singerfarms.com ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
RE: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story
Nancy: On behalf of small family fruit growers like ourselves, thanks for your effort in getting our side of the facts out to the media. Sometimes we feel like we have no way of correcting what are obvious errors (or just good old bias) about our industry, or farming in general. Thanks for helping us have a good day during a busy harvest season. Scott and Butch Palmer Springbrook Orchards, NY -Original Message- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nancy Foster Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 4:36 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Thanks, Matt and everyone, for the comments on the CNN Lou Dobbs story last week that ran Tuesday evening, Oct. 9. By now you've probably seen that 4-5 minute story, where Dobbs intended to raise consumer alarm about the safety of apple juice since some of the apple juice in the U.S. contains Chinese concentrate. To answer the question about wage rates, the correct answer is $9-15 per HOUR, not per day. CNN contacted USApple and several U.S. state apple associations to gather wage rate information about China vs. the U.S., and CNN simply got it wrong on the air. They are now aware of this mistake. USApple, representing the national apple industry, was contacted by CNN for the story. Subsequently I did a 10-minute interview with the goal of communicating the facts behind concentrate imports and maintaining consumer confidence in the safety of apple juice, fresh apples, and other apple products, as well as the overall integrity of the U.S. apple industry. It was important that accurate, positive information, be presented to counterbalance the activist perspective we anticipated would be (and was) included. During the story, Dobbs argued with his own reporter over the facts, which probably left consumers wondering what the real story was and what to believe. We have not seen further media coverage resulting from the Dobbs story, and are continuing to closely monitor the situation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at the phone number below. Nancy Nancy E. Foster President CEO U.S. Apple Association ph- (703) 442-8850 fx - (703) 790-0845 www.usapple.org http://www.usapple.org/ From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Matt McCallum Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 3:56 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story OK OK guys I will attempt to straighten out Lou - maybe he would let me on the show to debate it!!! On Oct 17, 2007, at 1:49 PM, George M. Greene wrote: Hi Bill and All: When I worked in Pennsylvania most apple pickers made AT LEAST $10/HOUR. The old sob stories of apple growers exploiting orchard workers WERE JUST NOT TRUE. They worked real hard and made good money. Workers pruning were also making a minimum of $10/HOUR Please, a PR person in the apple industry needs to straighten them out. Tim Smith is right on!!! Best regards, George Unfortunately, the text implies that rather than the $2/day chinese apple pickers earn, apple pickers in America earn $9-$15 (a day). As a publisher, perhaps you (Matt) could remind them that integrity is all the news media has to convince readers/listeners of the veracity of their stories. You might also want to tell them how long this has been going on, and that news is best served fresh. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html www..nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html - Original Message - From: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Matt McCallum To: mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Apple-Crop Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320 http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320. --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 http://www.freshcut.com http:www.freshcut.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew.com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew..com http://www.spudman.com http://www.spudman.com -- George M. Greene II 68 Willow Lane Wiscasset, ME 04578 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 207-882-8074
RE: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story
Hello all, We don't get much tabloid TV over here (unless we pay for satellite we only have access to 4 stations), but often these programs generate more heat than light, and unless the presentation is very clear, more harm can come from them than good. I generally believe that negative advertising, stories or whatever about a topic such as the (communist) Chinese apple juice concentrate may harm innocent bystanders such as genuine US apple juice manufacturers, when slightly confused people decide to switch to orange or cranberry juice instead. Keep emphasising the positive about yourself, and you do not run this risk. Con Traas From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 18 October 2007 11:50 To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Based on his debates on immigration reform, it is a waste of time. In a message dated 10/17/2007 4:00:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: OK OK guys I will attempt to straighten out Lou - maybe he would let me on the show to debate it!!! On Oct 17, 2007, at 1:49 PM, George M. Greene wrote: Hi Bill and All: When I worked in Pennsylvania most apple pickers made AT LEAST $10/HOUR. The old sob stories of apple growers exploiting orchard workers WERE JUST NOT TRUE. They worked real hard and made good money. Workers pruning were also making a minimum of $10/HOUR Please, a PR person in the apple industry needs to straighten them out. Tim Smith is right on!!! Best regards, George Unfortunately, the text implies that rather than the $2/day chinese apple pickers earn, apple pickers in America earn $9-$15 (a day). As a publisher, perhaps you (Matt) could remind them that integrity is all the news media has to convince readers/listeners of the veracity of their stories. You might also want to tell them how long this has been going on, and that news is best served fresh. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center www..nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html - Original Message - From: Matt McCallum mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Apple-Crop mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320 http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320 . --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 http:www.freshcut.com http://www.freshcut.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com/ http://www.vegetablegrowersnew..com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew.com/ http://www.spudman.com http://www.spudman.com/ -- George M. Greene II 68 Willow Lane Wiscasset, ME 04578 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 207-882-8074 = Jim Bittner Singer Farms 6730 East Lake Rd Appleton, NY 14008 Phone 716-778-7330 Fax 716-778-7003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.singerfarms.com See what's new at AOL.com http://www.aol.com?NCID=AOLCMP0030001170 and Make AOL Your Homepage http://www.aol.com/mksplash.adp?NCID=AOLCMP0030001169 .
RE: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story
I'm not sure where the $9-15 per day figure came from, but I can tell you that the pickers at our family orchard earn at least $9 per HOUR and some are closer to the $15 per hour wage. I think most pickers in east coast apple orchards would be in that range of earning. So our pickers earn $70 to $100 per DAY, or more, compared to $2 per day for Chinese pickers. That's just one of many reasons apples need to be priced higher in the USA. But our quality is at least 40 times better! Steve Miller Stephen S. Miller, Ph.D. Research Horticulturist Appalachian Fruit Research Station 2217 Wiltshire Road Kearneysville, WV 25430 Phone: (304) 725-3451 x325 Fax: (304) 728-2340 [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bill Shoemaker Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 11:15 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Unfortunately, the text implies that rather than the $2/day chinese apple pickers earn, apple pickers in America earn $9-$15 (a day). As a publisher, perhaps you (Matt) could remind them that integrity is all the news media has to convince readers/listeners of the veracity of their stories. You might also want to tell them how long this has been going on, and that news is best served fresh. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center www..nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html - Original Message - From: Matt McCallum mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Apple-Crop mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320. --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 http:www.freshcut.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew..com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew.com http://www.spudman.com
RE: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story
Labor is a limited and valuable resource. The picking crews are not slaves, and are definitely not stupid, so why would they work for ultra low wages? Most of our laborers have cell phones and use them to find the best jobs in the area. The minimum hourly wage rate in Washington State is over $8/hour. If a picker picks slowly, he/she must be paid at least that wage per hour on the job. However, it seems that most pickers of any fruit in Washington have their own minimum wage of $100 per day, and if they cannot reach that level due to light fruit load, big trees, hillsides, small fruit size, etc., they try to negotiate for a higher piece rate. If they cannot come to an agreement with the grower, they leave to find work in a better orchard. While I'm sure some pickers have issues with orchard pay, and do not make $100/day, but many make more than that, especially picking cherries. From my limited experience picking fruit, I say they earn every penny. (cherries: 25 lugs/ day at $4.00/lug = $100 is the standard, many skilled and industrious pickers pick 35 lugs/day. The going rate for pears this year was about $17/bin. $17 x six 1100 lb bins = $102. Many pickers pick more than 6 bins/day. Apples are similar, but the new orchard designs are confusing things, as the pickers are becoming part of a team, rather than a collection of individuals picking into their designated bins. They still expect to make at least $100 or more a day. Timothy J. Smith WSU Extension, Chelan, Douglas Okanogan Counties From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Frank Paganelli Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 6:36 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Are you telling us that American apple pickers earn 9-15 dollars a day. Or is that the hourly rate. Please clarify that. - Original Message - From: Matt McCallum mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Apple-Crop mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 6:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320. --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 http:www.freshcut.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew..com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew.com http://www.spudman.com
Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story
Hi Bill and All: When I worked in Pennsylvania most apple pickers made AT LEAST $10/HOUR. The old sob stories of apple growers exploiting orchard workers WERE JUST NOT TRUE. They worked real hard and made good money. Workers pruning were also making a minimum of $10/HOUR Please, a PR person in the apple industry needs to straighten them out. Tim Smith is right on!!! Best regards, George Unfortunately, the text implies that rather than the $2/day chinese apple pickers earn, apple pickers in America earn $9-$15 (a day). As a publisher, perhaps you (Matt) could remind them that integrity is all the news media has to convince readers/listeners of the veracity of their stories. You might also want to tell them how long this has been going on, and that news is best served fresh. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.htmlwww..nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html - Original Message - From: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Matt McCallum To: mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.netApple-Crop Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320. --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 http:www.freshcut.comhttp:www.freshcut.com http://www.fruitgrowersnews.comhttp://www.fruitgrowersnews.com http://www.vegetablegrowersnew.comhttp://www.vegetablegrowersnew..com http://www.spudman.comhttp://www.spudman.com -- George M. Greene II 68 Willow Lane Wiscasset, ME 04578 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 207-882-8074
FW: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story
I am resending since it's unclear if my previous email went through. Nancy From: Nancy Foster Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 4:36 PM To: 'Apple-Crop' Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Thanks, Matt and everyone, for the comments on the CNN Lou Dobbs story last week that ran Tuesday evening, Oct. 9. By now you've probably seen that 4-5 minute story, where Dobbs intended to raise consumer alarm about the safety of apple juice since some of the apple juice in the U.S. contains Chinese concentrate. To answer the question about wage rates, the correct answer is $9-15 per HOUR, not per day. CNN contacted USApple and several U.S. state apple associations to gather wage rate information about China vs. the U.S., and CNN simply got it wrong on the air. They are now aware of this mistake. USApple, representing the national apple industry, was contacted by CNN for the story. Subsequently I did a 10-minute interview with the goal of communicating the facts behind concentrate imports and maintaining consumer confidence in the safety of apple juice, fresh apples, and other apple products, as well as the overall integrity of the U.S. apple industry. It was important that accurate, positive information, be presented to counterbalance the activist perspective we anticipated would be (and was) included. During the story, Dobbs argued with his own reporter over the facts, which probably left consumers wondering what the real story was and what to believe. We have not seen further media coverage resulting from the Dobbs story, and are continuing to closely monitor the situation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or at the phone number below. Nancy Nancy E. Foster President CEO U.S. Apple Association ph- (703) 442-8850 fx - (703) 790-0845 www.usapple.org http://www.usapple.org/ From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Matt McCallum Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 3:56 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story OK OK guys I will attempt to straighten out Lou - maybe he would let me on the show to debate it!!! On Oct 17, 2007, at 1:49 PM, George M. Greene wrote: Hi Bill and All: When I worked in Pennsylvania most apple pickers made AT LEAST $10/HOUR. The old sob stories of apple growers exploiting orchard workers WERE JUST NOT TRUE. They worked real hard and made good money. Workers pruning were also making a minimum of $10/HOUR Please, a PR person in the apple industry needs to straighten them out. Tim Smith is right on!!! Best regards, George Unfortunately, the text implies that rather than the $2/day chinese apple pickers earn, apple pickers in America earn $9-$15 (a day). As a publisher, perhaps you (Matt) could remind them that integrity is all the news media has to convince readers/listeners of the veracity of their stories. You might also want to tell them how long this has been going on, and that news is best served fresh. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center www..nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html - Original Message - From: Matt McCallum mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Apple-Crop mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:03 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Juice story Check out the October 9, Lou Dobbs Tonight story on Chinese apple juice concentrate. They made a big deal that most of the apple juice sold is from Chinese concentrate - wow talk about being late to the party... http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320 http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=100907-800813-Q001194320 . --- Matt McCallum Publisher/CEO Great American Publishing 75 Applewood Drive Suite A Sparta MI 49345 P - 616-887-9008 ext 101 F - 616-887-2666 http:www.freshcut.com http:www.freshcut.com http
