In Michigan, a fresh partnership blossoms with the establishment of the ‘Michigan Cherry Growers Alliance,’ spearheaded by Leisa Eckerle Hankins, the proprietor of Benjamin Twiggs. The Hankins family boasts a cherished cherry-growing legacy spanning five generations since the 1800s. Amidst the backdrop of current challenges, the alliance seeks to address the pressing issue of fair compensation confronting cherry growers.
Eckerle Hankins underscores the paramount obstacle faced by cherry growers, highlighting the disparity between actual earnings and sustainable rates. Last year, she notes, cherries fetched a meager 11 to 20 cents per pound, falling far below the 25 to 30 cents deemed essential for viability.
Central to the alliance’s vision is the pursuit of transparency and strengthened bargaining power on the legislative stage. Eckerle Hankins stresses the pivotal role of transparency in fostering mutual accountability among growers and industry representatives, fostering clarity on expectations and responsibilities.
Acknowledging the alliance’s formation, Warren Call, President & CEO of Traverse Connect, underscores the critical importance of sustainability in the cherry industry. He emphasizes the necessity of preventing further attrition within the industry to ensure its enduring vitality and prosperity.
Source: FreshPlaza
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