Given that much of the same equipment and techniques can be used to make both syrups, and the fact that birch sap generally starts to flow just as maple sap dries up, "it does present a tantalizing possibility, " van den Berg said.

WSJ: Birch syrup explored as add-on to maple industry

To handle the constant ebb and flow of inventory, Direct Relief uses SAP to manage a 100, 000 square foot warehouse in Santa Barbara.

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