A team of Washington State’s juice grape industry members and university scientists has begun a three-year project to develop a sustainability guide for grape growers. The project is funded through a Washington State Department of ­Agriculture block grant. Craig Bardwell, senior viticulture specialist for National Grape Cooperative’s Grandview, Washington, processing facility, says that many retailers now require some type of sustainability program that documents production practices of the foods they purchase. Welch’s, the retail label for National Grape Cooperative’s products, is feeling pressure from such retailers. Sustainable programs already exist for Concord and juice grape growers in Michigan (Grape*A*Syst) and […]