CHICAGO, IL - The lineup for an exciting industry event has been revealed, as Hazel Technologies® announced the esteemed panelists readying to take the virtual stage at its upcoming Apple Quality Summit on April 30. The Grower Perspectives Panelists will include Leighton Rice, Quality Control Manager at Rice Fruit Company of Adams County, Pennsylvania; and Scott Kee, VP of Operations at Sacia Orchards of Galesville, Wisconsin, who will represent key leaders across U.S. apple production regions.

“As an eighth-generation grower in Adams County, I have a legacy to uphold and a responsibility to the 30-plus surrounding farm families for which we have the honor to receive, store, pack, and market quality fruit,” commented Leighton Rice, Rice Fruit Company, which packs over a million boxes of high-quality apples a year. “At Rice Fruit Company, we have been diligent in moving forward and embracing new technologies while staying true to our heritage. The Apple Quality Summit is a great opportunity to talk with the industry about the exciting ways we are continually improving the apple category.”

Hazel Tech’s Quality Summits are designed to bring together leaders and experts in postharvest research, market analytics, farming, and shelf-life extension technology to present at each crop-focused virtual event, a press release explained.

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During the Apple Quality Summit, Hazel Technologies’ VP of Sales, Kelly Dietz Hale, will moderate a panel of leaders who demonstrate dedication to quality and innovation across their operations.

“Sacia Orchards is continuing to invest in the latest technologies to enhance quality, which is why we are excited to participate in the Apple Quality Summit,” commented Scott Kee, Sacia Orchards. “This forum is a unique occasion to encourage and promote the apple industry through research and education, and to support the category through the exchange of new information.”

Other speakers at the Summit include Ann-Marie Roerink, Principal of 210 Analytics, who will present on the latest apple category trends, variety performance, and consumer research; and Mario Cervantes, Senior Business Development Manager at Hazel Technologies, who will speak on cold storage monitoring innovations and shelf-life extension technology.

The Apple Quality Summit is a free event, and registration is open until April 30, or until capacity is reached.

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