Branded fruit: How produce got “Honeycrisp-ified"
Summary
Planet Money explores the rise of branded "superstar" produce, like Honeycrisp apples, driven by changing intellectual property laws and consumer demand. Hosts Kenny Malone and Dan Pasman visit Rutgers University to meet breeders Tom and Pete, who developed the Scarlet Sunrise grape tomato. They discuss how universities now monetize agricultural research to help farmers escape the commodity trap. The episode also highlights a potential breakthrough in compact tomato plants that could significantly reduce growing costs.
Topics discussed
Intro: Midterms and the rise of superstar produce
Driving to New Jersey to investigate tomatoes
The 'Honeycrispification' of the produce aisle
How changing laws and incentives drive innovation
Ads and arrival at Rutgers experimental farm
Meeting breeders Pete and Tom in the tomato field
Legal shifts: Plant Variety Protection and Bayh-Dole Act
Breeding the Scarlet Sunrise: crossing traits for flavor and firmness
Commercializing the tomato and market saturation
Escaping the commodity trap via branding and IP
Consumer demand and the feedback loop of fancy food
Taste test: Dan Pasman converts to grape tomato fan
Compact plants: a breakthrough for farming economics
Outro: Sporkful promo and naming the tomato
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