Issue Position: Agriculture - Apple Growers

Issue Position

The apple industry is a vital part of New York's agriculture economy and a healthy lifestyle. New York apples cannot be beat for taste, crispness, and quality. They are undeniably delicious! In 2006, farmers harvested over 1.2 billion pounds of apples worth about $264 million, making New York State the second largest apple producing state in the country.

Unfortunately, the drop in wholesale apple prices and the vagaries of the weather over the last five years have devastated our apple farmers. I am working hard to support the apple growers in New York State by continuing to urge the Secretary of Agriculture to expedite Apple Market Loss Assistance Program (AMLAP) payments when appropriate.

I have called for action to address unjust trade barriers that are hurting New York apple farmers. In particular, I have urged the Department of Commerce not to allow the dumping of apple juice concentrate into U.S. markets, further depressing prices for processing apples. I have also contacted the U.S. Trade Representative to keep existing markets open for U.S. apples, as well as gain access to new international markets.

In years past, I have requested that the federal government increase the amount of apples and apple products purchased for domestic programs like the School Lunch Program, which was honored in the 2002 Farm Bill. The bill set aside $200 million for the purchase of fruit, vegetables and other specialty crops and at least $50 million for the purchase of fresh produce. The School Food Fresh Act of 2007 that I introduced allocates the same amount of funds for the purchase and distribution of local fruits and vegetables to area schools.

Furthermore, I helped forge a partnership between Jet Blue Airways, New York Apple Association and Empire State Apples that directly benefited New York apple growers. JetBlue Airways offered passengers and crewmembers a New York State apple when they boarded a JetBlue plane at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. In a single month JetBlue purchased 25,000 New York apples.

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