Hazel Technologies, Inc. has announced panelists to speak at today's virtual Apple Quality Summit. The Grower Perspectives panelists include Leighton Rice, quality control manager at Rice Fruit Company of Adams County, PA and Scott Kee, VP of operations at Sacia Orchards of Galesville, WI. The panelists represent category leaders from across US apple production regions that share a dedication for quality and innovation across their operations. The panel will be moderated by Kelly Dietz Hale, VP of sales at Hazel Technologies, Inc.
The Grower Perspectives panelists include (left to right): Scott Kee, VP of operations at Sacia Orchards and Leighton Rice, quality control manager at Rice Fruit Company.
“As an eighth-generation grower in Adams County, I have a legacy to uphold and a responsibility to the 30+ surrounding farm families for which we have the honor to receive, store, pack and market quality fruit,” said Rice. “At Rice Fruit Company, we have been diligent in moving forward and embracing new technologies while staying true to our heritage. The Apple Quality Summit is a great opportunity to talk about the exciting ways we are continually improving the apple category.” Rice Fruit Company’s apple-packing facility is in the Eastern half of the United States and packs more than a million boxes of high-quality apples annually.
“Sacia Orchards continues investing in the latest technologies to enhance quality, which is why we are excited to participate in the Apple Quality Summit,” said Kee. “This forum is a unique occasion to encourage and promote the apple industry through research and education, and to support the category through the exchange of new information.” Sacia Orchards is located in Wisconsin and currently grows 19 varieties of apples across over 200 acres of farmland.
Other speakers include Mario Cervantes (left) of Hazel Technologies and Anne-Marie Roerink (right), principal of 201 Analytics. (Center): Hazel Tech's sachet packaging inserts which helps extend the shelf life of produce.
Other Summit speakers include Anne-Marie Roerink, principal of 210 Analytics and Mario Cervantes, senior business development manager at Hazel Technologies. Roerink will present on the latest apple category trends including insights on variety performance and consumer research. Cervantes works closely with growers from Washington to New York state and will speak on shelf-life extension technology and cold storage monitoring innovations.
Hazel Tech Quality Summits bring together experts and leaders in postharvest research, qualitative and quantitative market analytics, farming and shelf-life extension technology to present at its crop- focused virtual events. The Apple Quality Summit is a free event.
The event starts at 10:00 am CST. Registration is still open to the general industry. 
For more information:
Jaime Kedrowski
Hazel Technologies
Tel: +1 (559) 321-2146
[email protected]
www.hazeltechnologies.com