This October, Ocean Spray will showcase the natural treasure of its cranberry bogs – displaying the ruby-colored, cranberry gems in urban areas throughout America. Bringing to life the breathtaking experience of the cranberry harvest, Ocean Spray’s Bogs Across America events will transform landmark sites in New York City, Los Angeles and Foxboro, Mass. into a sea of glimmering, red berries. Each free-standing bog exhibit will contain about 2,000 pounds of cranberries from Ocean Spray bogs across the country.
October 7 – 9, New York’s Rockefeller Center: Ocean Spray’s “Big Apple Bog” will come to Rockefeller Center where growers will share their stories with New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. The 1,500 square foot bog will be displayed in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
October 15 – 17, Los Angeles’ Hollywood & Highland Center: Ocean Spray’s “Red Carpet Bog,” at 1,800 square feet, will make a starring appearance in the heart of Hollywood. The Hollywood & Highland Center is among the most visited tourist destinations in Los Angeles and includes Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards.
October 25 –- 26, Massachusetts’ Gillette Stadium: Ocean Spray’s “Patriot Place Bog,” will come to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Mass., home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, where Bostonians, Pats and Revs enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn about the heritage of this indigenous fruit from growers in the 2,100 square foot bog.
Third- and fourth-generation cranberry growers from Ocean Spray will be available to explain the harvesting process, discuss their own growing history and tell about the heritage of the cranberry. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the fruit’s unique health benefits, receive free recipe brochures, as well as sample Ocean Spray products. The comical character growers featured in Ocean Spray’s ad campaign will also make special guest appearances on the first day of both stops on the tour.
“The Bogs Across America events have been one of Ocean Spray’s most successful campaigns, as it underscores the taste, health and heritage of the cranberry,” said Larry Martin, vice president of marketing at Ocean Spray. “Visitors who might otherwise never see a bog in their lives can appreciate the beauty of the harvest, and can also meet some of our family growers and learn about what makes cranberries so unique and special.”
Legend says cranberries were served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Despite being a Thanksgiving institution since colonial times, only 34 percent of Americans are aware of the term “cranberry bog.” Because cranberries are only harvested in select areas around the United States and Canada, most Americans have never seen a real harvest; however, many Americans enjoy cranberries! In fact, 10.8 billion cranberries are consumed each holiday season.
Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest
In conjunction with the New York bog exhibit, Ocean Spray will be selecting winners of the second annual Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest on October 7. The creator of the recipe that best incorporates this tart and tangy wonderberry will receive a $25,000 check and a year’s supply of Ocean Spray products. The top four finalists’ recipes from each category – foodservice professional and home cook – will be available on www.oceanspray.com and www.oceansprayfoodservice.com. Winning recipes in last year’s competition included Pan Seared Chicken Breasts with Cranberry-Cherry Sauce and Bleu Cheese Crumbles and a Cranberry Mojito.
Ocean Spray Brings Mini Bogs to Select Stores
To coincide with the Bogs Across America events, Ocean Spray will have free-standing bog exhibits at select Kroger grocery stores in Ohio and Kentucky in October and November. Shoppers at these and other Kroger local banners in the western United States – including Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers and Ralphs supermarkets – will have the opportunity to learn about the taste, health, and heritage of the cranberry from the wonderberry experts and sample Craisins® 100-Calorie Packs.
About Ocean Spray
Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 600 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as more than 50 Florida grapefruit growers. Ocean Spray was formed over 75 years ago by three cranberry growers from Massachusetts and New Jersey. Florida grapefruit growers joined the Cooperative in 1976. Ocean Spray is North America’s leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks, and has been the best-selling brand name in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981. Ocean Spray posted fiscal 2007 earnings of roughly $1.7 billion.
