The Finger Lakes Grape Listing was used extensively by growers throughout New York in 2008. The listing contained an average of 39 listings of grapes for sale during the August to October time frame, with a range of 21 to 46 listings over that period. On average, there were 439 tons of grapes listed each week, with an approximate value of $514,510.
Growers are very pleased with the service, and would like to see it continue. A phone survey of a sample of the site’s users indicated that 12 out of 15 (80%) growers contacted said that it helped them to sell at least some of their surplus grapes. All of the growers surveyed, including those who indicated it did not help them sell grapes this year, indicated that they like the site and want to see it continued. Several growers had suggestions for improvements to the site, and we will be taking these into consideration as we work to enhance the service.
impact statement issue
The Finger Lakes region found itself with a surplus of grapes in 2008, thanks to a higher than average crop and lower than expected purchases by regional wineries. This left many growers in the difficult situation of having to find new buyers for their grapes in the midst of a very busy harvest season, when they have minimal time to make a lot of phone calls to find new buyers for their excess grapes. Having a single site where growers can list what grapes they have for sale and potential buyers can look for grapes they need made the task of connecting these two parties easier.
impact statement response
The Finger Lakes Grape Program (FLGP) developed the "Finger Lakes Grape Listing" as a tool for buyers and sellers of New York grapes and bulk wine and juice to connect. The site accepts listings of grapes or bulk wine and juice for sale from anybody in New York. The site also accepts listings from anybody in the country who is looking to purchase grapes or bulk wine and juice from New York producers. The site is set up this way to maximize the benefit of the service to the state’s industry by only selling products from New York, while opening up to requests for purchases from buyers anywhere. The listing is active year-round, but receives the bulk of its activity from July to November, during the region’s harvest and "crush" season. During this time, the Finger Lakes Grape Program sends out weekly e-mail summaries of the listing to all who are enrolled in the program.
Efforts were made to expand the reach of the listing this year to other states. FLGP staff contacted viticulture and enology extension programs in other eastern and midwestern states to ask them to share the listing with their clientele. In addition, representatives from other industry organizations (e.g., New York Wine and Grape Foundation) indicated that they would spread the word about the listing service in other states as well.
impact statement summary
The Finger Lakes Grape Program’s "Grape Listing" website helped growers to market their grapes to new buyers in the midst of a significant grape surplus in the region in 2008.
