When will the Arctic apple be available and what are the initial plans for marketing? Also, I am wondering if Innate potatoes would have a longer storage life for the home gardener. I would be quite interested in obtaining Innate potatoes if they would be available for planting in home gardens.

Expert response from Joe Guenthner

Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, University of Idaho

Thursday, 06/08/2015 19:58

The first generation of Innate™ potatoes recently approved by the USDA and FDA grow exactly the same as their conventional counterparts.  The second generation of Innate™ potatoes current under USDA review should have a longer storage life compared to conventional varieties. 

Although Innate™ seed is only available for commercial purposes, theoretically, home gardeners would see the same benefits of commercial growers which is less weight loss and less quality loss.  In addition, the potatoes can be stored at cooler temperatures – as cool as 38 F – which reduces losses due to: (1) rot caused by micro-organisms and (2) sprouting.  This would be accomplished without discoloration of raw or cooked potatoes.

Expert response from Joe Guenthner

Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, University of Idaho

Thursday, 06/08/2015 19:58

The first generation of Innate™ potatoes recently approved by the USDA and FDA grow exactly the same as their conventional counterparts.  The second generation of Innate™ potatoes current under USDA review should have a longer storage life compared to conventional varieties. 

Although Innate™ seed is only available for commercial purposes, theoretically, home gardeners would see the same benefits of commercial growers which is less weight loss and less quality loss.  In addition, the potatoes can be stored at cooler temperatures – as cool as 38 F – which reduces losses due to: (1) rot caused by micro-organisms and (2) sprouting.  This would be accomplished without discoloration of raw or cooked potatoes.

Expert response from Community Manager

Friday, 19/06/2015 14:23

We currently anticipate Arctic® apples will first become available in a select number of stores in small, test-market quantities in late 2016. In terms of how their market introduction will be managed, Arctic® apples will be a managed brand and handled in much the same way as other managed varieties available on the market today. And while many additional details have yet to be finalized, it continues to be OSF‘s plan to assist in branding and the market introduction of Arctic® apples to aid in consumer education and awareness. We also hope to introduce additional nonbrowning varieties, such as Arctic® Gala and Arctic® Fuji, in the coming years.