SPINNING GOLD FROM CHAFF big economic ideas for NYS food
the raisin project / the NY Standard / infant support / a nourishing homeland for farmers
economic growth + children’s rights + social justice + public health
A BIG SOLUTION THE RAISIN PROJECT
California is the current run-away king of raisins in the US, but with a shifting climate and the development of new winter-hardy grape varietals, New York is well poised to enter the ring of raisin production.
Grown in an extended environment free of glyphosate, synthetic insecticides, and chemical fertilizers, NY raisins will be a truly nourishing food — 100% free of insecticide residue.
Private / public collectives and collaborations will be established with small farms and vineyards, opening access to USDA grants and loans and community added value processing opportunities, allowing growers to participate in the aspects of raisin production the choose and leave the rest to community.
Idea to explore: guaranteed minimum income for food producers
Thoughts leaders: Young Farmers Coalition, Cornell, NYS Grape growers
Verified Market Research / Raisins Market size was valued at USD 2404.75 Million in 2021 + is projected to reach USD 3590 Million by 2030
“due to their health advantages as a strong source of antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium, raisins are becoming increasingly popular”
Children must eat what they are given, what is available to their caretakers. Even healthy-seeming foods are often toxic to growing bodies
BIG TROUBLE THE RAISIN PROBLEM
“If we included raisins in our calculations, they would be No. 1 on the Dirty Dozen,”
— EWG toxicologist Dr. Thomas Galligan
Using test data from the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Working Group analyzes to what degree fresh fruits and vegetables are contaminated with pesticide residues.
Their 2020 guidelines — which include their notorious “Dirty Dozen ” and “Clean Fifteen” lists — put the spotlight on raisins. They found that 99% of the dried fruit tested had residues of at least two pesticides.
Raisins labeled as organic test positive for pesticides at a rate of 91%.
New York Post / Raisins are 'dirty' and full of pesticides, scientists say
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, every American consumed an average of 1.25 pounds of raisins in 2017, the latest data available.
AGMRC / Raisins are the most popular dried fruit in the United States, but currently, California is the only state in the United States that commercially produces raisins
The time is ripe for New York to get into raisins.
With the right varieties, the Eastern table grape industry might consider expanding. That could drive economic development…”
— Bruce Reisch, professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Cornell Chronicle / Partnership bears fruit with release of two new grape varieties
Canadice
a red table grape, is more winter hardy than most seedless grapes. It produces medium clusters with small red berries that are similar to Delaware in flavor and appearance.
Einset Seedless
a winter-hardy, red seedless grape with a unique, strawberrylike flavor. The medium-sized clusters produce bright red, ovoid berries that have good storage potential until the end of November.
Himrod
produced from a cross between Ontario and Thompson Seedless, is the most successful table grape released from the Cornell University grape breeding program. It produces large bunches of white seedless grapes with excellent, honeylike flavor and melting, juicy texture.
Interlaken Seedless
an early-ripening seedless grape with a strong, American flavor. The clusters are medium sized and compact with small, white berries that ripen very early.
Remaily Seedless
developed by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, produces large clusters of oval seedless berries with firm texture. The flavor is neutral and mildly fruity.
future forward economic trickle down + added value + public health savings
In California, raisin growers spend nearly $384.3 million annually in the state. This spending creates a ripple effect of overall business activity projected to total nearly $631.6 million annually or more than $1.7 million each day of the year.
Raisin growers’ expenditures create an economic ripple effect that generates thousands of jobs.
Nearly 5,470 jobs are created as a result of spending by the state’s raisin growers.
The labor income generated by these additional jobs is projected to be nearly $207.7 million annually or more than $568,970 each day of the year.
Industry Paper: California Raisins
NY Times: The Raisin Situation
Agricultural Marketing Research Center: Raisins
Raisins’ value can be expanded with products such as raisin paste, an alternative for date paste.
“Raisin paste can be used as a binder in fruit bars in place of other, more expensive fruit pastes, such as date paste. Raisin paste can add healthy fiber to baked goods, and its rich deep color can add visual appeal. Raisin juice concentrate can be used as a natural coloring agent and can add flavor to sauces and marinades, as well as be used as syrup for yogurts, ice cream and chocolate milk. Raisins also have antimicrobial properties, thus adding value to products in which they’re used by extending the shelf life (Fuentes, 2014)”
AGMRC: Raisins