Hudson River Fruit Distributors in Milton, NY, was established in 1963 by Isadore (Izzy) Albinder, along with his son Harold Albinder. Today the company is in its fourth generation of ownership and management.

Alisha Albinder represents the fourth generation and works in operations. She explained that Izzy Albinder first entered the business by selling apples on a push cart in Brooklyn in the 1930s.

Harold entered the business full time in the late 1950s, and today he serves as president. In 1980, Danny Albinder, Harold’s son, also joined the company and learned it from the ground up. Today he serves as its chief operating officer.

Red Delicious apples ready for harvest at Hudson River Fruit Distributors. (Photo courtesy of Hudson River Fruit Distributors)Alisha, Danny’s daughter, joined the family business in 2013. She holds a degree in finance and entrepreneurship from Northeastern University. Before joining the family business, she also worked as a produce buyer for Fresh Direct.

“We are vertically integrated,” she said. “We grow, pack, ship, store and sell apples from our own 400 acres of our own orchards and we represent over 50 growers in New York state and New England.”

Hudson River Fruit Distributors is one of the larger East Coast apple shippers.

Albinder said that this year the company has focused on rebranding and investing in the company.

“Among the changes in recent times we purchased a 50-acres farm near our headquarters,” she said. “We’ve been busy clearing the land as it was an abandoned orchard that had not been farmed in over 30 years. We will plant Aztec Fuji, Gala, Cortland and Red Delicious apples next spring using high-density planting techniques.

The rebranding initiative included adopting a new logo and a new box for the company’s “Red Chief” branded products. This fall it will introduce a new brand and product labeled “Lil Chief” brand apples. The selection for the bags includes Galas, McIntosh, Empires and Golden Delicious.

“Hudson River Fruit Distributors created ‘Lil Chief’ brand apples as a marketing tool to promote a local and healthy snack for adolescents,” said Albinder. “While ‘Lil Chief’ can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a healthy snack, it’s targeted toward children age 5 to 13, to encourage healthy eating habits to start at a young age.

“The small and kid-friendly bag contains three pounds of small-sized apples that are two and one-quarter inch and up, which are a perfect fit for a child’s small hands and big appetite,” she continued. “Apples keep you fuller longer, while also providing necessary antioxidants and minerals to keep parents and their children strong and healthy.”

She pointed out that while the small apples are a delicious and nutritious snack for caretakers and their “Lil” ones, the new colorful and resealable bag is a perfect size to keep on the counter or as a great grab on the go.

The company’s website, www.hudsonriverfruit.com, is designed for the trade and consumers alike. It offers a multitude of information including extensive company history, the apple varieties it grows and handles and a wide selection of mouth-watering recipes. It also stresses the company’s proud principle that it has never wavered from: the fact that it was “Founded on Sincerity of Purpose to Satisfy.”

Albinder noted that Hudson River Fruit Distributors grows and markets 21 apple varieties. The most popular today are the Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Empire and Cortland.

“The crops are looking great this season, said Harold Albinder, founder and president. “They are clean and we have good sizing. It’s an exciting time of year for Hudson River.”