The crisp charm of Washington apples

Kim Vaughn
Communications

Washington state, with its diverse climate, fertile soil, and dedicated orchardists, is renowned as the "Apple State." In this blog, we'll explore the rich history and delightful diversity of apples in Washington, as well as some interesting facts and reasons why these apples are so special.

Washington's apple legacy

Washington's love affair with apples began in the 1820s when the first orchard was planted, and pioneers and settlers recognized the region's potential for apple cultivation. There are five main growing regions in the state. They are:

1. Okanogan
2. Lake Chelan
3. Wenatchee Valley
4. Columbia Basin
5. Yakima Valley

Today, there are over 175,000 acres of apple orchards, averaging around 100 acres in size, although some orchards are as big as 5,000 acres. It takes an estimated 40,000 pickers to harvest all of Washington’s apples. Washington’s apples are shipped to over 60 countries and according to the Washington Apple Commission is the largest apple-producing state in the United States! 

A bounty of varieties

Washington’s apple orchards are home to more than 2,000 apple varieties, but a few have gained international acclaim. The most famous include:

• Red Delicious: Known for its iconic, bright red color and sweet, juicy flesh, the Red Delicious is one of the most recognized apples in the world.
  
• Gala: With its crisp texture and a unique combination of sweet and slightly tart flavors, Gala apples are a popular choice for fresh snacking.
  
• Honeycrisp: This apple variety has taken the world by storm with its perfect balance of sweetness, juiciness, and crispness.
  
• Granny Smith: Loved for its tartness, this green apple is a go-to for baking, making apple pies, or enjoying as a refreshing snack.
  
• Fuji: Originally from Japan but now a Washington favorite, Fuji apples are sweet, crunchy, and perfect for salads or eating fresh.
  
• Pink Lady: With its distinctive pink skin and crisp, tart-sweet flavor, Pink Lady apples add a splash of color and zest to any dish.

For top-quality apples suitable for pie-making, cider production, snacking, or essential tree maintenance tips, explore the Washington Apple Commission's website for more details.

 

The healthier choice

Did you know that eating one large apple provides 20% of the recommended daily value of dietary fiber, 8% of the antioxidant Vitamin C, and 7% of your day’s potassium? All that deliciousness is packed into only 130 calories — with no fat, no sodium, and no cholesterol.

The USDA’s dietary guidelines recommend eating two cups of fresh fruit a day. That’s the equivalent of:

• 2 small apples, or
• 1 large apple, or
• 2 cups of sliced or diced apples.
  
  

Washington apple pride: Nurturing the nation's best

Washington State's apple orchards are not just a source of economic prosperity, but also a symbol of pride and a source of joy for the locals. These apples have a unique combination of flavor, crispness, and sweetness that sets them apart. Whether you're munching on a Red Delicious while hiking in the Cascades or enjoying a Honeycrisp at a local farmer's market, Washington's apples will leave an unforgettable taste in your mouth. Washington is proud to be the top producer of apples in the country!

Japanese scholars explore the heart of Washington agriculture with WSDA

Daniel Schafer
Communications

Students practice apple inspection.

Students from Tokyo University of Agriculture visited Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) in Olympia on September 20th. The group of 23 students and two professors learned about Washington agriculture and WSDA’s work to connect Washington-grown products with the world.

Apples and international trade

The day kicked off with an engaging session led by Rianne Ham, the agency’s International Marketing Program manager. Ham spoke to students about WSDA’s international marketing efforts as well as Washington’s key international trading partners.

Inspection supervisor Olivier Silva.

Next, the visitors had the opportunity to learn about one of Washington’s most famous crops — apples. To begin, students and professors sampled several varieties, including Granny Smith, Fuji, Rockit, and more.

In addition to plenty of apple sampling, students had a hands-on lesson on how WSDA helps ensure the quality of its apple crops. Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Supervisor Olivier Silva taught students how to look for imperfections and damage on apples, and explained the process that apples are required to go through before leaving the processing facility.

Lessons in grain inspection

The Olympia visit concluded with WSDA’s Grain Inspection Program Manager Philip Garcia teaching students and faculty about grain inspection. Students received a hands-on lesson on gathering samples, spotting imperfections, and more. Following these demonstrations, Garcia also conducted a thorough question and answer session where students learned more about Washington’s export process and the wide variety of foods that are produced across our diverse state.

Students work with Grain Inspection Program Manger Phil Garcia to practice grain inspection.

A statewide tour

But the visit went far beyond the classroom. In addition to lessons held in the WSDA offices, the group from Tokyo University of Agriculture traveled to the Yakima Valley where they toured one of the orchards run by Allan Brothers Fruit. Our visitors then followed the course of the apples to an Allan Brothers packing facility in Yakima where they learned about food and safety guidelines at the facility, following the sorting, sizing, and packing process from start to finish.

During the tour and observation, WSDA fruit and vegetable inspectors Jose Briseno and Colton Denton performed quality control inspections, explaining the process to the group. Briseno and Denton also explained how inspections for exports to different countries require different plans.

Jose Briseno and Colton Denton demonstrate quality control inspections.

A successful visit

After their five-day journey, the students and professors from Tokyo University of Agriculture returned home equipped with valuable knowledge about Washington State agriculture. One student, Kazuma Matsuo, shared that he was surprised and impressed by the large scale of Washington’s apple production after visiting Yakima. Meanwhile, Professor Masao Takayanagi, who was the faculty member leading the trip, shared that he and his students were pleased with the experience, saying “The visit was very stimulating, and [students learned] a lot about what is happening in agriculture in Washington.”

2019 sees dip in revenues for Washington crops with onions joining the Top 10

Hector Castro
WSDA Communications

Washington’s agricultural production dipped slightly in 2019 to $9.49 billion, down 2 percent from the previous year, according to the annual value of Washington agriculture production report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Statistics Service (USDA-NASS).

The Value of Washington’s 2019 Agricultural Production announcement was released this week. Among notable developments, a two percent increase in the value of onion production boosted it into the top ten, with a value of $181 million in 2019.

“Onions have always been right on the cusp of the Top 10, they’ve usually been in that 11th through 14th range for some time,” said Dennis Koong, deputy director of the USDA-NASS Northwest Regional Field Office. 

Apples remained Washington’s leading agriculture commodity, despite an 8 percent decrease in production value, followed by milk, which was up 13 percent from the previous year, and potatoes, which saw an increase of 19 percent. 

No data is yet available on how production has fared during 2020 and the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. All figures in this week’s report are for 2019. Also, USDA-NASS does not include data on marijuana production, as it is not a federally recognized agriculture crop. 

The 2019 Washington State Top Ten list of agriculture commodities 

1. Apples -- $1.95 billion
   
2. Milk -- $1.28 billion
3. Potatoes -- $934 million
4. Wheat, all -- $792.5 million
5. Cattle and Calves -- $698.7 million
6. Hops -- $475.6 million
7. Hay, all -- $$468 million
8. Cherries, sweet -- $393.5 million
9. Grapes, all -- $308 million
10. Onions, all -- $180.5 million

Several crops that did not make the top 10 list still had good years in 2019. These included blueberries, which reached a record high value of $153 million in 2019, a 10 percent increase from the previous year, barley, with a 39 percent increase in value of $29.9 million in 2019, and canola which, at $22.3 million, saw a fourth consecutive year of increasing values.

The USDA-NASS report also lists commodities that Washington leads the nation in growing, including hops, spearmint oil, apples, sweet cherries, pears and cultivated blueberries.

Visit www.nass.usda.gov for more agriculture statistics. 

Taste Washington Day 2020 celebrates resilient farm to school connections

 Chris Iberle, Farm to School Lead

Common Threads Farm, Bellingham, school garden harvest.

The tenth annual Taste Washington Day may look a little different this year, but even with challenges associated with remote learning and COVID-19 precautions, it remains true to its mission of celebrating community, connecting students and farmers through school meals, and educating them about where their food comes from.

Across Washington State this year, schools, farms, children, families, school gardeners, agriculture educators, organizations and businesses have come together to support one another, showing strength and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges.

However school districts adapt their activities for Taste Washington Day, scheduled for Oct. 7, this special day highlights how they provide local food to students in school meals, learn in their schools’ gardens, and educate students about food and agriculture. 

Thirty-six school districts are signed up to participate so far, and working with dozens of Washington farmers and producers to buy food items and ingredients for their meals. School districts and farmers can still sign up online to be a part of the event and share their plans with WSDA.

School nutrition staff have showed heroic, creative, and inspiring efforts to overhaul their school meal programs since the COVID-19 pandemic turned school operations upside down. 

School nutrition programs continue to be a critical food access point providing millions of meals for many children, families and communities statewide, especially during the pandemic. School meals have also provided an opportunity for students to stay connected with their school. 

“Nutrition staff in our districts love greeting the kids when they pick up their meals,” said Janis Campbell-Aikens, Child Nutrition director at Auburn School District and president of the Washington School Nutrition Association. “They have been one constant for the kids, from before COVID-19, and through the spring and summer.”

Coupeville School District boxed pasta lunches with sauce
that includes Washington-raised meat.

New, unique meal needs

The Taste Washington Day theme this year is “What’s in the Bag or Box from Washington?” encouraging schools to feature at least one Washington-grown product in sack lunches or meal boxes distributed to students. 

Local Washington-grown foods have been filling schools’ new, unique needs, as farmers support schools with products that fit grab-and-go meals, such as lunchbox-sized apples or pears, individually wrapped hardboiled eggs, dried cherries, and snacking veggies for sack lunches. 

Schools offering multi-day “grocery box” or recipe kits have added local yogurt, cheese, potatoes, onions, rhubarb, broccoli, and bread to distribution boxes. Districts incorporating scratch cooking into new distribution models, such as prepared meals to heat and eat at home, have featured Washington-grown beef, vegetables, and other cooked ingredients.

Washington Apple Crunch goes virtual!

The Washington Apple Crunch will again be part of Taste Washington Day, albeit virtual this year. Teachers, students and parents are encouraged to participate in the Washington Apple Crunch, and bite into a Washington-grown apple at noon on Oct. 7, and make a statewide crunch to celebrate our state’s agriculture. 

WSDA partners with the Washington School Nutrition Association to organize Taste Washington Day, with support from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition. Local nonprofits, parents, volunteers, and community partners also work to support Taste Washington Day. 

Together with schools and local farmers, we celebrate Washington agriculture and promote the nutritious foods being served in our schools.

The scoop on adding soil to the apple maggot quarantine

Amy Clow
Pest program

Washington has long had an apple maggot quarantine in place in several counties to control the spread of apple maggot into pest-free areas of the state. After months of meetings and consultation with numerous partners in the tree fruit industry, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is proposing to add soil and growing medium to the list of apple maggot quarantine regulated materials. 

The rule change would regulate the movement of soil and growing medium, in pots or root balls of both plants that can host apple maggot and some non-host plants. 

Under the proposal, plants with soil that originate from a quarantined area must have a phytosanitary certificate stating the following if they will be moved out of the quarantined area: 

Host Plants (Apple, crabapple, hawthorn, cherry, pear, plum, prune, and quince)  

• Have not produced fruit and were not located in the drip line of host plants that have fruited or
• Originated in an area where apple maggot is not considered established based on official  trapping surveys or
• Had soil or growing medium treated with an appropriate pesticide treatment just prior to shipping.

Click on the image for a larger version.

Non-host plants grown within the drip line of fruiting host plants in the quarantine area

• Originated in an area where apple maggot is not considered established based on official  trapping surveys or
• Had soil or growing medium treated with an appropriate pesticide treatment just prior to shipping.

Click on the image for a larger version.

As a reminder, moving fruit attached to host plants is already prohibited under the apple maggot quarantine. 

The following remain unregulated, even under the proposed rule change: 

• Bare root plants (host and non-host) – host plants cannot have fruit attached
• Plants (host and non-host) originating from the WSDA pest-free area
• Non-host plants that were not grown in the drip line of fruiting host plants

In addition to adding soil and growing media to the list of regulated materials, WSDA is also proposing to change the rule to reflect how plants may enter the pest-free area if the risk is mitigated.

The rule change was first suggested by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association after WSDA trapping discovered that apple maggot had likely been moved into the pest-free area in the soil of a potted nursery fruit tree. WSDA identified soil on nursery plants as a probable pathway for the introduction of apple maggot into pest-free areas. 

Public hearings for the rule change are expected to take place sometime in January, with exact dates to be determined. 

WSDA is currently developing a Small Business Economic Impact Statement (SBEIS) to determine what economic impact this rule change may have on small businesses. The results of the SBEIS will be made public with the filing of the CR-102. Visit agr.wa.gov/Services/Rulemaking for more information on WSDA rulemaking activity or to view the CR-101. 

Visit agr.wa.gov/applemaggot to stay informed about this rule change and other apple maggot quarantine issues. 

Eggs crack top 10 list and other highlights

Chris McGann
Communications

Eggs cracked this year’s top 10 list last year with
a 70 percent jump in production value.

Washington’s agricultural production top 10 list featured ups, downs and a new listing in the annual U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released this week.

Our state produced an estimated $9.67 billion of agricultural commodities in 2018, down 2 percent from the previous year.

Notable rankings 

The value of all Washington grape production, second only to California’s, hit a record high with an estimated value of $361 million, a 13 percent increase from 2017.

The value of grape production in Washington hit a record high.

The $2.19 billion estimated production value of apples was a 10 percent drop from the previous year, but apples remained Washington’s top commodity and our state maintained its status as the nation’s number one apple producer.

And eggs cracked this year’s top 10 list with a 70 percent jump in production value estimated at $241 million. Pears fell off the list as the 2018 value declined 15 percent to an estimated $211 million.

The 2018 top 10 list

The rest of the list remained largely unchanged with the following rankings.

 1. Apples              $2.19b
 2. Milk                  $1.13b
 3. Wheat $845m
 4. Potatoes            $788m
 5. Cattle                $652m
 6. Hay                   $519m
 7. Hops                 $428m    (ranked 8th in 2017)
 8. Sweet Cherries $426m  (ranked 7th in 2017)
 9. Grapes              $361m
10. Eggs $241m

Apples remain at the top of the list for production value. At
an estimated valued of $2.19 billion, they make up 23 percent
 of our total agricultural value.

The heavy hitters

The top five commodities for 2018 had a combined value of $5.60 billion, or 58 percent of the year’s value for all commodities.

Other upticks

There were several commodities that did not make it into the top 10 production list, but showed significant increases in value from the previous year.

These include onions, which saw an increased value of 10 percent to $178 million in 2018. Blueberries also increased, by 21 percent from 2017 to reach $139 million in 2018. Barley value of production increased 55 percent to $21.5 million in 2018 and the value of canola, at $20.3 million, increased 23 percent from the previous year.

A few slips

Five of the top 10 commodities declined in value from the previous year, including apples, cattle and calves, hops, and sweet cherries. In addition to pears, other commodities that declined in value in 2018 were raspberries, down 38 percent to $35.9 million; and green peas, down 21 percent to $22.8 million. 

International trade visit puts Washington fruit front and center

Hannah Street

Communications

Among its many trade support services, WSDA’s International Marketing Program facilitates trips for international buyers and Washington state producers. These trips, referred to as trade missions, put representatives from both sides of the trade relationship together so one can learn more about the crops and markets of the other. 

A recent “inbound” trade mission welcomed representatives from Southeast Asia, Mexico and Central America. WSDA trade specialists Rebecca Weber and Julie Johnson organized this large group that represented international markets interested in the fresh produce Washington offers. 

Apples and boxes travel on conveyor belts through the Stemilt packaging facility.

The delegates, representing import, retail, distribution and wholesale industries, expressed interest in looking for fruit suppliers, which made the Washington state portion of their trip an ideal opportunity.

In Yakima, the Washington State Fruit Commission delivered a briefing before the buyers participated in one-on-one meetings with 15 different Washington-based companies. Connecting buyers to suppliers is one of the primary functions of the international marketing program.

"These meetings created an opportunity for buyers to meet with known suppliers or build relationships with new ones," trade specialist Julie Johnson said.

In Wenatchee, the Washington Apple Commission also provided a market briefing to buyers, setting the tone for the day's tours of fruit packaging facilities and an orchard.

A day of Washington fruit

At Stemilt Growers, the large group of delegates was split into smaller tour groups organized by language. Two new international marketing team members, Zachary Garza and Elisa Daun, were a valuable addition to the trip. Both trade experts, they have additional multilingual skills; Zachary is a fluent Spanish speaker, and Elisa is fluent in Mandarin. 

The tour guide gathered attendees around him and discussed current and future apple trends, with an emphasis on Cosmic Crisp. Group members asked about the new variety’s color and size, and whether and when they’d be packaged and sold. 

The guide described Cosmic Crisp’s bright color and lustre, adding that it was an ideal size for packing and shipping.

Workers sort through cherries at the Domex Superfruit Growers packaging facility.

The group then made its way to Domex Superfresh Growers, where general manager Ron Gonsalves led the group into a hallway where the packaging process could be seen. “See all this? This is new,” he said, gesturing toward the room of machines and workers. Half of the facility was lost in a fire two years ago. 

But that day, in the middle of an industry-wide cherry processing peak, an unknowing observer couldn’t have guessed at the facility’s loss. Stainless steel machines hummed and workers combed through piles of cherries, separating leaves from fruit. 

Domex Superfresh Growers is one of the largest cherry lines in the state. At the peak of cherry season, it packs up to 2,000 bins per day, and workers pack in shifts 7 days per week to keep up.

A worker at Domex Superfruit Growers separates leaves from the cherries.

At the next stop, McDougall and Sons’ Legacy Orchard presented visitors with rows of ambrosia apple trees. Scott McDougall talked with the group about varieties and orchard operations. Learning about the goals and challenges fruit growers have gave visitors more context for how fresh fruit gets from the tree in Washington to their shelves and tables abroad. 

Washington was not the buyers' only destination; before turning in for the evening, the group would trek to Seattle before an early flight to California. 

An ambrosia apple at McDougall & Sons' Legacy Orchard.

“We hope that by the time they return home,” said Julie, “they have more knowledge about Washington agriculture and are eager for trade opportunities in the future.”

Day of fruit inspection reveals importance of service, and safety

Robert Ambriz
WSDA Safety Officer

F&V inspector, Russell Burkett, checking apples

at a produce packing facility.

As our agency’s safety team continues its initiative to shadow WSDA employees to learn about their work safety concerns, it falls on each of the safety officers to spend time in the field. For my job shadow day, I spent time with Russell Burkett, an inspector with the WSDA Fruit and Vegetable (F&V) Inspection Program.

As part of a fairly standard work day, Russell visits a different packing warehouse each month. I was able to see firsthand some of the workplace hazards Russell and all of our F&V inspectors encounter.

Potential packing warehouse risks

For instance, forklift traffic is common in produce packing warehouses. Most operate on propane, which puts carbon monoxide (CO) into the air. I advise F&V staff to be extra cautious when in forklift traffic areas, and to report any type of CO symptoms to a supervisor or me so we can check the air quality.

Also, many warehouses use chemicals, such as ammonia, acid, and chlorine. These can present hazards. For instance, in December 2016, some residents of the town of Zillah were evacuated due to an ammonia leak from a fruit company warehouse. I encourage workers to know where to find Safety Data Sheets. These are important documents that give details about hazardous chemicals and how they affect health and safety in the workplace.

Once every month, I give a presentation to the F&V staff in Yakima about hazards they may encounter and how to deal with them.

Along with my safety focus on these shadowing visits, I’ve learned more about why it’s so important for F&V inspectors to spend most of their day being physically present at the industry facilities they serve.

Inspectors key link for industry

WSDA serves the produce industry by ensuring they meet quality standards, especially for the products they export outside the U.S. Different countries require various levels of inspection. Generally, F&V staff inspects about two percent of every 100 pieces being shipped – that equals 24-40 apples from every box.

Inspectors assess a grade (e.g. #1 Extra Fancy Red Delicious) and condition for defects such as decay, skin breaks, color, blemishes and so forth. They’ll do pressure and sweetness tests. Determining ripeness may involve a chew, thumb or starch iodine test. These are technical processes that require a good deal of training to learn.

According to F&V data, Washington shipped 46 million apples between October 2016 and the start of 2017. Washington is tops in the nation for apple production, on average producing 2.5 million tons of apples per year valued at more than $2 billion. 

“Without the services of F&V inspectors, we could lose about 10 loads a day,” commented the warehouse manager I spoke with. “Having them in our warehouse provides peace of mind.”

The WSDA safety team is committed to making sure our employees are protected from workplace hazards – so they can consistently provide these vital services to Washington State and return home safe and healthy every day.

Don’t Cross the Line: WSDA Expands Apple Maggot Quarantine

Karla Salp
Pest Program 

Apple damaged by apple maggots

As the old saying goes, don’t let a bad apple spoil the barrel. In an effort to protect Washington’s many barrels of apples, WSDA expanded the apple maggot quarantine area effective Jan. 1.

Recently, WSDA found apple maggot in the southeastern corner of Lincoln County. The expanded quarantine now includes a portion of Lincoln County to prevent further spread of the pest. The quarantine prohibits the movement of homegrown or foraged fruit from the quarantined area into a pest-free area.

WSDA has held public meetings in the process of changing the quarantine boundaries and mailed postcards to residents in or near the new quarantine area to alert them to the change.

Apple Maggot Quarantine

Apple maggot quarantine effective Jan. 1, 2017

The apple maggot larva looks like a tiny white worm that eats its way through an apple, leaving behind a brown mush that is not fit for human consumption.
Apple maggot quickly spread through Western Washington after its introduction, but state and local efforts have so far prevented it from becoming established in the main apple growing regions of the state.

Searchable Map

WSDA has updated its apple maggot webpage with lots of information for commercial growers, home owners, and more. One of the features of the new website is that it now contains a searchable map. The new map allows anyone to enter an address and find out whether the address is inside or outside the quarantine area.

Apple Maggot and Garbage

Adult apple maggot fly

WSDA also clarified a rule that prohibited the transport of municipal and green waste from quarantined areas into pest-free areas. For the homeowner in a quarantine area, this means they cannot take yard waste or garbage to dumps or transfer stations in the pest-free area. Waste from a quarantined area can be taken to any waste facility that is also in the quarantine area.

More than apples - What to do with your fruit

Apple maggot can spread quickly when humans move fruit (including apples, crab apples, hawthorn, cherries, pears, plums, and apricots) into pest-free areas. That is why WSDA prohibits the movement of fruit from inside the quarantine to outside of the quarantined area.

So what can you do with your fruit if you live in a quarantine area? Here are some ideas for managing your fruit and yard waste.

• Process (cook, can, juice, dry, etc.) homegrown fruit before transporting outside the quarantine area.
• Compost or destroy yard waste at home.
• Take yard waste to a green waste disposal area inside the quarantine area.

If you have more questions about Washington’s apple maggot quarantine, visit agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/InsectPests/AppleMaggot/ to learn more. 

Following an apple’s journey into the box

Kathy Davis

Communications Office

When you grab that pretty, shiny apple on the store shelf, you may not imagine the journey it’s taken to get there. In the packing house alone, apples travel a path that illustrates modern agricultural practices.

Apples aren’t just a Washington icon, like salmon, coffee and airplanes. They’re also a $2 billion industry producing millions of apples each year. Those apples all need to be harvested, sorted, packed and inspected.  

Last month I got an eye-opening education when I toured apple and potato packing facilities with Ken Tuttle, supervisor of WSDA’s Quincy Fruit and Vegetable Inspection office. As primarily a food consumer who’s relatively new to the agricultural industry, I was struck by the movement of the process.

From the large wooden bins in which the apples arrive in the warehouse, their first step is a bath. Each bin is lifted mechanically onto a skid that lowers it into a pool of water to wash the apples. With nose close, you can smell the chlorine (think swimming pool) that sanitizes.

Drifting and spinning

The water floats the fruit out of their field bins, becoming a river of apples drifting off on their way. They’re dried by spinning on soft, covered rollers and being heated in an enclosed metal container. 

Why are store apples so shiny? Because they’re sprayed with a fine mist of food grade wax.

They roll along, randomly splitting off onto three belts that run past workers who visually check for defective fruit. Along with experienced human eyes, technology helps sort. The apples are also whisked into a computerized machine where a camera and scale determines size and grade.

Placement onto trays and into boxes is largely, but not totally, automated. Humans help make sure each round fruit is properly positioned. Colorful shipping boxes are stacked into tall, wide blocks on pallets. Stacks await shipment to such destinations as Portland, Brooklyn and China.

Storing year-round

Apple harvesting occurs over a relatively short period, yet demand is year-round. So some of the crop is stored in a controlled environment to maintain freshness and allow for later packing.

These rooms look like over-sized racket ball courts with those big wooden bins of apples piled to the ceiling. Along with being chilled, the oxygen level is reduced in the room. Before workers enter, the atmosphere is adjusted to replace life-sustaining oxygen.

These packing facilities are daily working environments for our WSDA fruit and vegetable inspectors. For someone who resides in a cubicle most days, it was an eye-popping new world.