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Extremely deadly pesticides, including Malathion and Sevin, <br />are used in the protection of edible fruit. Kuretich uses such <br />chemicals in his orchard and Terror Creek Company has no specific <br />complaint at this time concerning such usage so long as Kuretich <br />is fully permitted and licensed for such application. However, as <br />well can be imagined, removal of all traces of pesticide is <br />necessary prior to human consumption. <br />All commercial apple processors utilze physical washing with <br />brushing of fruit. This washing process is extensive and <br />thorough. Terror Creek apples put through the washing process <br />exhibit absolutely no traces of coal dust or any other contaminant <br />after washing. The inspection report makes no definitive comment <br />as to the effectiveness of lack thereof except to relate the <br />feelings of Kuretich that washing would not work in removing all <br />the dust. <br />The pricing of apples to the producer is a very nebulous <br />affair dependent upon crop and weather conditions in other <br />producing areas (i.e. primarily the State of Washington) and <br />market demand. The primary local determinant to producer prices <br />is local crop success which includes lack of early frost, no hail <br />or rain dimpling, no fruit rust, adequate pest control, cold <br />storage capacity, crop size, type of apple grown, etc. <br />Without getting too technical, there are four primary <br />classifications of apples table/eating apples, canners, sauce <br />and juice, plus organic. A limited and decidedly unofficial <br />survey (consisting of telephone calls to two apple processors, one <br />apple product packing plant, and one juice plant) of prices paid <br />to producers in the North Fork Valley reveals the following (all <br />prices quoted are wholesale to the grower) <br />Tvoe of Aoole <br />Table/Eating <br />Canners <br />Sauce & Juice <br />Organic <br />Price Range <br />#0.10-#0.12/lb <br />#0.08-#0.10/lb <br />lo.Ob-#0.07/lb <br />f0.03-#0.04/lb <br />'typical Price <br />#O.lU/lb <br />#0.08/lb <br />#U.U6/lb <br />#0.04/lb <br />Apples are graded primarily on size, pest infestation, skin <br />conformity, meat consistency, and color. All grading is, of <br />course, after completion of washing. It is the contention of <br />Terror Creek Company that the presence of minor coal dust <br />deposition upon the stem and ends of Kuretich's apples does not <br />alter nor degrade the value of the apples. <br />(2) <br />