MAX FACTS
growing tips, news and trivia
Green Takeover
Inside the shell of a former meat-packing facility in Chicago, Illinois, the gurgle of rushing water, rich
scent of tilled earth and bright green glow of new seedlings fill a small room. The plants, tended by
South Side native Nick Greens, are in neat rows of plastic trays placed on industrial racks against
sunlit windows. Outside, the dilapidated urban sprawl of the infamous Back of the Yards neighborhood
extends to the horizon. Nick’s green space is set up at The Plant on 46th Street has been operating
since 2010 and hosts multiple tenants, including Pleasant House Bakery, Greens & Gills, Arize
Kombucha, a fermented tea brewery, and the non-profit organization Plant Chicago. The Plant is an
oasis of opportunity in the low-income neighborhood that provides community members with a place
to learn marketable skills. Nick believes there are more businesses to come and that The Plant will
create 125 jobs within the year.
(Source: columbiachronicle.com)
California’s Record-breaking Grapes
California shipped a record volume of 117 million boxes of fresh California grapes during the
2013 season, a total crop value of $1.7 billion. The 2013 season started with shipments in
early May and continued into February 2014. California produces 99% of the commercial fresh
grapes grown in the United States. Exports also hit a new record in volume, with 48 million
boxes shipped to export markets—a 17% increase over the previous year. The top export
markets in volume included Canada at 12 million, followed by China and Hong Kong at 8 and
Mexico at 7. The 48 million boxes exported represented 41% of the total crop volume. With the
2014 season now underway, the commission is gearing up its global campaign for Grapes from
California, which includes retail, consumer and food-service programs.
(Source: grapesfromcalifornia.com)
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Maximum Yield USA | May 2014