Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, headquartered in Fishers, NY, told The Produce News that there are a couple of new club apple varieties that are making a buzz currently.

“These are managed varieties, and they’re being planted at a good clip,” said Mr. Allen.

“They include the New York 1 and New York 2,” he continued. “They are not yet named, but we expect names to be released very soon. Cooperatives came together and bought the rights to these varieties, and that cooperative is New York Apple Growers LLC. There will be some available in the market this coming season, but there’s not yet enough being produced to go strongly into retail or foodservice.”

It’s apple blossom time in New York state. (Photo courtesy of the New York Apple Association)The “SweeTango” is another new managed variety. It took expert apple breeders at the University of Minnesota more than a decade to develop the Minneiska cultivar, which is the apple tree that produces “SweeTango.” The apples’ claim to fame is that it is crisp and juicy with a smooth texture and it has a rich and vibrant flavor.

“New York’s always popular varieties continue to be strong, and planting continues on these as well,” said Mr. Allen. “They include the Honeycrisp, Gala, Zestar, Cortland, Macoun, Jonagold and, of course, the McIntosh.”

Among other tasks, the NYAA works with regulatory agencies on behalf of its members, and it oversees promotion and marketing for the State’s apple crop. In the past year, the organization made two important team addition announcements.

“Molly Golden joined us in April 2012 as our director of marketing,” said Mr. Allen. “She has proven to be a great asset to our organization and our members.

“Julia Stewart, owner of Clarity Communications, is now our public relations spokesperson,” Mr. Allen continued. “She started with us in March of this year.”

Ms. Stewart previously served as public relations director for the Produce Marketing Association. She stepped down from that post in January 2011 to reactivate Clarity Communications, which she had started prior to joining the PMA.

Coming off of a pretty downtrodden harvest due to climate conditions in 2012, New York apple growers are gearing up strongly for what they feel is going to be an outstanding 2013. Mr. Allen said that he is highly encouraged by the increase in tree plantings in the state.

“And growers have been working hard to update, renovate, add to and otherwise improve their storage and packing facilities,” he said.

“We feel that now, in early May, we’re past the danger point of a potential frost. The trees are out of dormancy from the winter, and we’re looking forward to a great bloom and an outstanding crop this year.”

He added that while there is no proof, he is optimistically encouraged about the number of young people coming back to their family farms after finishing college.

“There is a group in the Hudson Valley that headed up a young leader group,” said Mr. Allen. “The U.S. Apple Association sponsors young leaders, and every year we and other apple producing states send a couple of young people down to D.C. to see the work that the USAA is doing on behalf of the industry.”

Mr. Allen said that there is less land going to housing development and more staying in farming in New York state, and that’s a good sign that people want to continue farming.

“I spoke to a grower the other day about a young couple who wanted to go into the apple growing business,” he said.

“It can be a difficult industry to go into new because it takes several years for trees to produce a commercial crop,” he continued. “This couple found an established orchard and bought it, and now they’re trying to learn everything they can about the apple business. These are encouraging stories, and they speak to not only the willingness to work hard, but also the long, strong tradition and wholesomeness of being an apple farmer.”