NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE CONCORD grapes F NYS FARM TO INSTITUTION NEW YORK STATE PMS P 30-7 C CMYK 0, 60, 87, 0 RGB 244, 129, 56 PMS P 30-16 C CMYK 0, 69, 100, 14 RGB 213, 100, 28 PMS P 141-7 C CMYK 87, 0, 81, 42 RGB 0, 116, 69 Western New York’s Concord grape industry exemplifies the very best of this state’s diverse agriculture. By expanding research and marketing opportunities for both Concord grape growers and processors, we can provide a boost to the agricultural community, grow business, and create new jobs in this region and across New York. ANDREW M. CUOMO Governor, New York State As a lifelong visitor to neighboring Chautauqua County, I know there is tremendous local pride in the fact that it is the world’s largest contiguous concord grape growing region. Concord grapes grown across the Lake Erie shoreline are an important part of the diverse agricultural landscape of New York State. KATHY HOCHUL Lieutenant Governor, New York State The juice of the grape is the liquid quintessence of concentrated sunbeams. THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK English Novelist and Poet ii NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES Introduction Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS), Bite into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or take a swig of pronounced “finesse,” is grape juice and you will instantly recognize the familiar flavor of a collaborative initiative Concord grapes. As the second largest grower of Concord grapes in the nation, New York has just the right climate and soil conditions led by American to grow this popular grape varietal. These sweet, tangy fruits are Farmland Trust working integral to New York’s history and economy, and certainly deserve to strengthen the a place on every institutional menu! Whether served in juice, jelly, economic security of pies, or savory entrées, Concord grapes are a hit with all diners and will become a regular on meal menus year-round. farmers and the health of New Yorkers by New York Grown Food Guides offer information and resources to support institutions in identifying, sourcing, and procuring local empowering institutions foods from the state. The guides, along with the Farm to Institution to spend at least 25% New York State Local Food Buyer Learning Center toolkit, equip of their food budget food service and procurement staff with education and training to on foods grown in New incorporate local products into meals to improve the health of New Yorkers and local economies statewide. York. Learn more at www.finys.org. NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES 1 Grapeful for Knowledge: Concord Grape Facts A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody In 2018, NYS Department vines of the flowering plant genusVitis. 1 of Agriculture and Markets Concord grapes, classified asVitis labrusca, contain a convened the first-ever chemical compound known as methyl anthranilate, which is New York State Concord used to give soft drinks and candy its grape flavor. Grape Summit to revitalize Named after their city of origin, Concord, Massachusetts, and expand the state’s Concord grapes have been a part of American viticulture Concord grape industry. since 1854 and have wild, native, New England ancestors. Concord grapes are one of the oldest domestically cultivated Farmers, researchers and grapes grown today and are responsible for making value- industry leaders met with added products such as grape juice, wine, and jelly.2 state officials to identify New York is the second largest producer of Concord grapes industry growth challenges in the U.S. Each year in New York, growers in the Lake and explore new Erie Concord Grape Belt produce 121,000 tons or more of opportunities for Concord Concord grapes on 30,000 acres of vineyards.3 grape growers in New Grape-related production activities like growing, processing, York State. To elaborate and winemaking support nearly 2,000 jobs and contribute on the importance of $340 million in total economic impact in New York State.4 this fine fruit and how Did you know that New York has its own Grape Discovery it supports New York’s Center in Westfield, NY? The Grape Discovery Center is the local economies, NYS official Visitor’s Center for the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, designated a New York State Heritage Area in 2006. Department of Agriculture Developed by the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, and Markets has created a it seeks to be an experiential destination that supports and short film: https://youtu. promotes the grape industry through sharing stories and be/k-qoWnO_27Y engaging, educating, and informing the public about all things grape.5 Phytonutrients Vitamins C and K Concord grapes are an excellent One cup of grapes, with about 100 source of the phytonutrient calories, provides more than a resveratrol, an important chemical quarter of the daily recommended that may help to minimize LDL values of vitamins K and C. Grape or “bad” cholesterol to support seeds, which are edible, are chock- healthy arteries.6 full of antioxidants.7 2 NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES Product Availability, Pack Sizes, and Fruit Quality Characteristics Concord grapes are a cyclical-type plant with crop yields averaging around six tons per acre. However, yields are impacted not only by weather and growing conditions but also by production trends.8 Concord grapes make up 80 percent of all grapes produced in New York, with the majority of the harvested fruit dedicated to juice. While available fresh in retail stores and farmers markets for out-of-hand eating and mouth-watering grape pies, Concord grapes for institutional markets are most practical in products such as juice, jelly, jams, concentrates, slushies, and smoothies. The selection and procurement of fresh Concord grapes is determined by knowledge of quality characteristics of the fruit. The information below identifies selection criteria and storage best practices. QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS Cornell AgriTech has When selecting fresh Concord grapes, look for: developed the Everest Grapes should be plump, not shriveled, with consistent color Seedless, a new table throughout the entire fruit. Check the base of the stem to ensure firmness. Concord grapes are a “slip-skin” variety with a thick, rather grape with Concord than thin skin (unlike a table grape). flavors that is double in Stems should be green and pliable and not brown, brittle, or dried out. size, seedless, and ready Avoid grapes that have accumulated excess moisture inside the bag as for eating out of hand. they will be susceptible to mold and/or rot. Announced in 2018, this Concord grapes should have a white- to silver-colored dust called new grape offers another bloom that ensures the fruit is protected from dirt and moisture. option for grape growers The majority of grapes should be securely attached to the stem, not around New York.* scattered in the bag. * http://news.cornell.edu/ stories/2018/09/big-blue- STORAGE everest-seedless-cornells- newest-grape Do not wash grapes before storing and until ready to use. Keep grapes in original packaging. Grape storage bags are specifically designed to protect fruit and ensure adequate ventilation. Ideal temperature held at 30–32°F. Ideal humidity at 90–95%. Store in a protected area with limited air flow to limit dehydration. Do not store grapes around strong smelling items such as onions and leeks to prevent odor absorption. Shelf life of 1–2 weeks in cooler; longer shelf life if frozen. Grapes are non-ethylene gas sensitive and ripening will not be affected by exposure from other ethylene-producing produce (apples, bananas, tomatoes).9 NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES 3 NEW YORK CONCORD GRAPE PRODUCTS AND INFORMATION Below are several Concord grape products available for institutional purchase. Product availability, sizes, and quantities are all subject to change, and we encourage you to confirm with distributors for updated products and ordering information. CASE COUNT ITEM SIZE PACK (PER PALLET) SHELF LIFE ITEM CODE NY Juice Company Shelf 4 oz 96 56 12 months 9906172 Stable Juice Cup* NY Juice Company ½ gal 6 50 8 months 1362121 Concord Grape Slush Concentrate* Cool Tropics Welch’s 4 oz 96 56 9 months 17001 Shelf Stable Grape Apple Juice Cup Cool Tropics Welch’s 4 oz 60 80 12 months 14501 Concord Grape Slush * Product meets the requirements of the New York Grown & Certified program. New York Grown & Certified Program, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, indicates that farm products have been inspected for safe food handling and environmental stewardship. For more information: www.certified.ny.gov 4 NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES Distributors Below you will find information on sourcing New York Concord grape products. Distributors’ contacts are subject to change, and we encourage you to reach out to vendors directly to confirm availability and ordering procedures. FULL SERVICE (BROADLINE) DISTRIBUTORS Sysco Albany https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Albany 518-877-3200 Sysco Long Island https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Long-Island 631-342-7400 Sysco Metro New York https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Metro-New-York 201-433-2000 Sysco Syracuse https://sysco.com/Contact/Contact/Our-Locations/Syracuse 315-672-7000 or 800-736-6000 US Foods https://www.usfoods.com/locations.html#filterSimpleTags=us-foods:states/ny Ginsberg Foods Inc. https://ginsbergs.com/ 518-828-4004 or 800-999-6006 Latina Boulevard Foods https://www.latinaboulevardfoods.com/ 716.656.8400 Renzi Foodservice http://www.renzifoodservice.com/ 315-788-5610 or 1-800-633-4311 NEW YORK GROWN FOOD GUIDE: CONCORD GRAPES 5 Preparation Suggestions and Recipes PREPARATION IDEAS Mix grape juice and gelatin for healthy “grape squares” dessert.