Pundit’s Mailbag: Arkansas’ Contribution to Cotton Candy and Other Grape Varieties

One of the most important produce breeders in the world is about to retire from his position at the University of Arkansas. The American Pomological Society is giving him an honor, as did the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association. Today, however, the honor is on the Pundit, because Professor John R. Clark, as he prepares to move on, deigned to present us with a letter.

THE GLOBAL GRAPE SUMMIT 2022
From Six Continents, the Industry Gathers
To Build The Future
In Bakersfield, California, USA

With the notion that we all will benefit from a better industry, from increased consumption, diversity in marketing and understanding of new varieties and industry trends, this year’s faculty has stood up to help, and the industry owes them a special vote of thanks. Though we still have a few surprises to unveil on site, it is our great pleasure to unveil the Faculty for The Global Grape Summit 2022.

Rewe’s Stephan Weist Brings
Broader Perspective On Grape Marketing

In thinking about how best to make him part of the event, we asked Stephan Weist of Rewe in Germany if he, as senior produce executive at one of the most important chains in the world, could not so much focus on the details of grapes –after all, we have hundreds of people attending and dozens of speakers focused exactly on that. Instead, we asked if he could provide a broader perspective within which the grape industry operates and must find a way to thrive.

Sprouts Farmers Market’s Caitlin Tierney
Shares Her Insights on Out-of-the-Box Grape Retailing

Caitlin Tierney says she’d eat a kombucha-flavored, sour or spicy grape if given an opportunity, in hopes it’s the next best trend. While this might sound far-fetched — and Tierney did share this in jest — it does exemplify her out-of-the-box thinking that makes Tierney one of the more innovative minds in the fresh produce industry today. It’s no wonder. Tierney’s past gives her a great lens to view the future.

HMC Farms’ Harold McClarty
Talks Boosting Grape Consumption

You could say that Harold McClarty has grapes running through his veins. Table grapes, that is, not the wine type. Back in 1887, his great grandfather purchased the land where McClarty later grew up and, exactly a century later, founded HMC Farms. Today, the Kingsburg, California-headquartered company has grown from the original 40 acres to one of the largest grower-shipper-packers of tree fruit and table grapes in the world, with growing locations across California and Chile.