Strong apple season for Jack Brown
Strong apple season for Jack Brown
SPARTA, MI — The quality of the 2015 Michigan apple crop to be packed this fall by Jack Brown Produce Inc. “is excellent,” according to John Schaefer Jr., president of the firm.
Over the last couple of years, Jack Brown has been steadily upgrading its packing facilities to best serve its growers and the firm’s customers. “Everything we have here is state-of-the-art technology. Or, if it’s not, we will upgrade it this fall,” Schaefer told The Produce News.
“In September we will upgrade our camera software to look inside the apples” in the grading process. This uses infrared light for the sophisticated grading process. Jack Brown also offers top-of-the-line packing and storage technology,” Schaefer said.
Jack Brown’s growers were expected to begin harvesting their first apples of the season Aug. 15-20. These were the Ginger Gold and Paula Red varieties. Around Labor Day Jack Brown will begin packing and shipping McIntosh, Gala and an early Golden Delicious strain named Golden Supreme.
“I project our first Honeycrisp will be available in mid-September,” he said.
Jonathan, an early Pink Lady strain, Idared, Blondie, Cameo and Empire will be harvested before Red Delicious comes on in late September.
Michigan growers continue to enjoy “a large premium” for their Honeycrisp apples. Putting money into Honeycrisp production “is the best investment.” Schaefer said that at some point Honeycrisp supply may catch up with demand, but he doesn’t foresee that critical point coming any time soon.