New York Orchardist Discusses Apple Growing Challenges and Urban Retail Landscape
A fifth-generation apple grower from the Hudson Valley shares insights on agricultural hurdles, while a local journalist criticizes the proliferation of grocery stores on Manhattan's East 86th Street.
Joel Crist, a fifth-generation apple grower whose family has been cultivating fruit since 1883, described the challenges faced by the agricultural industry in New York. His company, Crist Bros. Orchards in the Hudson Valley, employs over 200 people and produces 75 million apples annually, shipping three truckloads daily from Florida to Maine.
Crist explained that agricultural operations contend with "Mother Nature's curve balls," citing spring freezes that impact fruit yield and droughts that can result in smaller apples. He noted that these environmental factors can affect the taste and size of the fruit. Despite these challenges, the orchard's soil contributes to the quality of apple products like applesauce, apple pie, and apple cider. Crist also mentioned ongoing scientific efforts at institutions like Cornell University to crossbreed apples for new varieties, aiming for desirable traits such as crispness and juiciness. He highlighted that apples can be stored in refrigerators for up to 12 months and that scientific teams assess new varieties in the fall.
Meanwhile, on Manhattan's East 86th Street, concerns have been raised about the retail environment, particularly the approval of Happier Grocery taking over the former City Cinemas movie theater space. Arlene Kayatt of Our Town New York argues that the area does not need another grocery store, describing the corridor as a "mishmash" of businesses, some of which are struggling. She cited issues such as scaffolding, overflowing trash, and a visible homeless population.
The proliferation of food retailers in the vicinity includes Lexington Marketplace, a Target store, another food establishment midblock between Lexington and Third Avenues, and numerous other grocery stores. Kayatt suggests that these stores offer little differentiation in their products, questioning the distinctiveness of items like cucumbers regardless of where they are sold.
In a separate discussion of state rankings, a WalletHub report identified Idaho as the top state to live in, a finding that prompted commentary from Jim Fragale of Substack. US News & World Report's analysis placed Utah at the top for the fourth consecutive year, attributing its ranking to a strong economy, fiscal stability, and infrastructure. South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska rounded out their top five. New York was ranked 23rd in this assessment.