News Director Terry Frank has no in-studio guest this week, but, does have excerpts from this past week's press conference with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer about efforts to get the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to purchase excess Concord Grapes from growers along Lake Erie. Schumer explained the main reason is a major producer, Refresco, cancelled it's contracts with some 126 local growers -- mainly in Chautauqua County. The New York Democrat noted that this left those growers with no where to send their harvest at the end of their season. Schumer explained that there is already money in Section 32 of the budget to buy the grapes, and provide some to purchase the grapes, and they can be used for federal nutrition programs. We also hear from the Farm Bureau's Bob Patterson who's involved with the Cornell Grape research facility in the town of Portland. Local winery owner, Fred Johnson, who is also a Chautauqua County Legislator, also spoke and thanked Schumer for his efforts, and says other issues facing specialty grape growers include tariffs, and the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. UPDATE: Schumer and Junior U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, jointly announced that the USDA had agreed to purchase those excess grapes.
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