Two of the largest wholesale operations on the International Fruit Tree Association tour in New York were Crist Brothers Orchards at Walden and Porpiglia Farms at Marlboro. Both have large acreages of fruit, mainly apples, and are vertically integrated operations that grow, pack, and distribute their own fruit. They typically grow 10 to 20 varieties. Jeff Crist is well known in the apple industry, having served as a leader in apple organizations such as the U.S. Apple Association. The Crists built their operation on a base laid by Jeff’s father and uncle—the original Crist Brothers. He and his wife, Joy, […]