After graduating from MSU in 1983 with a degree in horticulture, Mark Doherty was optimistic.

His apples and those of other Michigan growers were selling enough to make the state the third largest apple producer in the nation.

He thought he had been equipped with the knowledge to produce quality fruits and vegetables capable of selling in the most competitive markets.

For the first time, the institution that taught Doherty how to grow apples is using a majority of the products his Michigan colleagues are growing in its cafeterias.

Doherty wonders why it took this long.

This year, MSU purchased 1,093 units — or more than 100,000 Michigan apples — to be served in its cafeterias. That number surpassed those bought from Washington state, at 986 units, for the first time.

Some Michigan apple growers think the university should be more supportive of locally grown foods and say the newly struck balance between in- and out-of-state fruit is the result of their struggle with MSU Housing and Food Services.

University officials have said students prefer Washington's apples to Michigan's, and as long as the demand remains, they will continue to serve them in university cafeterias.

As a member of the Michigan Apple Committee, Doherty attempted to sell locally grown apples to MSU in 2004.

He was shocked to find that from 2002-04, the university had purchased its apples from the state of Washington instead of Michigan at a ratio of nearly 24-to-1.

The committee donates more than $200,000 in research grants to MSU agricultural extension annually, and its members are frustrated.

"We should send our research dollars elsewhere," Doherty said. "So that we can develop a product that meets the needs of the university cafeteria system."

Although the number of Michigan apples being served in residence hall cafeterias has rapidly increased throughout the past few years, Doherty's faith in MSU's agricultural program is diminishing.

"This is a land grant university, and we have supported them throughout the years," he said, reiterating the amount of research dollars the committee donates to MSU.

"After all these years of advice and guidance from MSU on how to grow and market apples that are OK, but not quite what we want on our campus, it may be time to look elsewhere for leadership."

After several meetings with the committee, MSU began a campaign in fall 2006 to better advertise Michigan apples on campus. But Marta Mittermaier, food stores manager at MSU, said Washington apples will still be available in the cafeterias because they are what students want.

"If there is a reason, it's customer selection," she said. "Students select what they want, and we replenish from there."

Washington apples are more appealing to students because of their size and color, she added.

"We eat with our eyes," she said. "Students prefer Washington apples. We don't want to limit our selection."

The committee disagrees, blaming the minimal demand for locally grown apples on a lack of promotion.

While eating lunch in the Yakeley Hall cafeteria, Janet Kamiri, a music education freshman, agreed with the committee and said most students are unaware of the difference between Michigan and Washington apples.

"I want what tastes best, but I can't tell the difference," she said. "Students will eat what you put in front of them."

The committee has continued to engage the university in debate about whether Michigan apples should be given priority within the cafeterias, and has met with MSU officials on several occasions to develop new ways to advertise locally grown produce.

Since the meetings began, the amount of Michigan apples served on campus has increased to a level equal to Washington's. But Denise Yockey, director of the committee, said there is still much work to be done.

"We are happy to see progress," she said. "However, our apple growers don't understand why it has to be such a process."

Even when presented with a choice, students would prefer locally grown apples, she said, adding that Michigan apples remain competitive when being sold next to Washington apples in grocery stores.

"We go head-to-head with Washington every day," she said. "There is no reason why there shouldn't be Michigan apples 90 percent of the time."

As a teen, Doherty developed a love for horticulture working for an apple orchard in northern Michigan. To help promote locally grown produce and give back to his community, he began selling apples to Traverse City Area Public Schools in 2004.

During the 2005-06 school year, the Traverse City school district purchased more apples from Michigan growers than MSU, even though the university holds more than four times the amount of students.

"I find it upsetting when MSU extension staff put on educational programs that are designed to encourage and facilitate the movement of local food products to schools," Doherty said. "I have made it work in Traverse City, I am sure they can make it work in East Lansing."

Anita Sandel has worked as a dining services manager at MSU for more than 20 years, since beginning her work on campus, and she said Michigan apple growers have greatly, improved their storage technology making them much more marketable.

Michigan apples are available 11 months out of the year, but Sadel said it's about choice.

"We have a global community available to us," she said. "We deliver a global selection,"

Even with Michigan apples surpassing Washington apples in MSU cafeterias for the first time, the committee has promised to continue its fight with MSU food services until nearly all apples sold at MSU are from local growers.

MSU Trustee Don Nugent owns and operates Nugent Farms and has had experience producing and selling apples in the past.

He said Michigan apples have a superior taste, and hopefully MSU will begin to serve more of them in resident hall cafeterias.

"It makes sense for us to be supporting our industry in Michigan," he said.

"Michigan apples are cheaper and they taste better."