THE “BIG APPLE BOG” KICKS-OFF OCEAN SPRAY’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Generations of Cranberry Growers Come Together to Share the Story of the Cranberry Harvest

LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, MASS., (September 21, 2009) – This October, Ocean Spray invites Americans to celebrate its 80th anniversary harvesting cranberries as a grower-owned cooperative. The cooperative kicks-off the festivities at Rockefeller Center® www.rockefellercenter.com with a 1,500 square foot free-standing cranberry bog containing more than 2,000 pounds of glimmering cranberries.

Recreating the beauty of the cranberry harvest, third, fourth and fifth generation growers will tell the story behind the cooperative’s rich agricultural heritage and reveal the faces behind the cranberry products that families have grown-up with over the past eight decades.

“Most of Ocean Spray’s cranberry growing families have been harvesting the world’s finest cranberries with us for up to five generations,” said Larry Martin, vice president of marketing at Ocean Spray. “We’re proud to partner with our grower-owners to share their personal stories and bring the stunning scene of cranberry harvest to life for Americans who have never seen a real harvest.”

In addition to imparting their own personal growing histories and family memories on the farm, the growers will detail the harvesting process and talk about the heritage of the cranberry, one of only three fruits native to North America. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the fruit’s versatility and unique health benefits, and sample Ocean Spray products.  The character growers featured in Ocean Spray’s ad campaign will also make a special guest appearance.

A Cake Fit for a Cranberry King
What birthday celebration would be complete without cake? Food Network Star Chef Duff Goldman of “Ace of Cakes” will present a cake specially designed and baked for the occasion to open the “Big Apple Bog” in Rockefeller® Center on Oct. 6. The presentation will also be included in an episode of “Ace of Cakes” that premieres on Thursday, October 29 at 10pm ET/PT.

Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest
In conjunction with New York City’s “Big Apple Bog,” contest judge and Food Network Star Tyler Florence, host of “Tyler’s Ultimate,” will announce the winners of the third annual Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest on Oct. 6. The creator of the recipe that best showcases the little, red wonderberry receives a $25,000 check and a year’s supply of Ocean Spray products.

Finalists’ recipes from each category – home cook and foodservice professional – are available at www.oceanspray.com and www.oceansprayfoodservice.com.  Winning recipes in last year’s
competition included Roasted Cranberry Quesadillas and Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Mole
and Cranberry Salsa.

Patriot Place Bog
Rounding out the festivities, the bog will travel to Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution. Bostonians, Pats and Revs enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn about the heritage of the indigenous fruit from local grower-owners Oct. 17 and 18.  

The “Patriot Place Bog” kicks-off Oct. 15 with Ocean Spray’s first Tailgating Recipe Contest. Three finalists will compete in a head-to-head cook-off for the title “Unofficial Official Tailgate Recipe of the New England Patriots.” Chef Ming Tsai, host of public television's "Simply Ming" and chef/owner of Blue Ginger and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Hannah will judge and announce the winners that day.

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 80 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 2008 sales of $1.9 billion.