WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Lake Erie grape belt is the largest grape-growing region in North America east of the Rocky Mountains and is home to an industry rooted in nearly 30,000 acres of Concord grape vines.
For decades, growers in the Lake Erie grape belt have relied on selling their crops in bulk to processors. But that market could be withering on the vine.
In early March, beverage giant Refresco — a major buyer in the region — announced it would stop purchasing Concord and Niagara grapes effective immediately, leaving thousands of acres — and livelihoods — hanging in the balance…