Your March 26 story (Local Apple Growers...) presents a clear picture of a key local industry in difficulty, but one issue is absent from all discussion.

That issue is all-important to a growing number of health-conscious people. That issue is chemical pesticide use.

Offering more low-spray or organic apples would make this region's crop far more competitive, both domestically and internationally. Look in most supermarket chains and you'll find more varieties of organic apples every year, almost always imported.

This region will only benefit from decreasing the amount of chemical pesticide pumped into the air and then flushed into the water table. I've heard of families who refuse to move here because of rumours that apple spray causes cancer. Even if the hard evidence isn't there, the rumours are damaging enough.

The prevalence recently of naturally raised meat at the Farmers' Market and the 100-Mile Market indicates that local consumers are concerned enough to seek out products with fewer potentially damaging additives, even if they cost more. I believe this indicates that today's consumer will pay more for a natural apple grown with respect for the air, water and soil we all share.