Tart Cherries were touted again this weekend when Parade Magazine ran an article regarding a study of runners who drank tart cherry juice before a relay race and experienced less discomfort after the relay than those that drank a placebo.  Parade Magazine reported, “Researchers believe the difference may be attributed to flavonoids and anthocyanins with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers.”

These are important findings and sound very familiar to those of us at Brownwood Acres/FruitFast®. These study findings are similar to the research results from Winona State University’s double blind study conducted on our CherryFlex® softgel product in 2008.  The Winona State study results found that our CherryFlex softgels, (Montmorency red tart cherry fruit supplement) significantly altered muscle soreness following strenuous exercise.

Science continues to unlock the secrets to why dark-skinned fruits – like tart cherries, wild blueberries and wonderful pomegranates hold so many beneficial properties. In the case of the Winona study, the subjects were not aging seniors, but active, healthy college students.

It’s always reaffirming to have our studies confirmed by notable and independent sources.

In the meantime, check out the many ways you can enjoy and benefit from FruitFast’s dark-skinned fruit supplements, including our juice concentrates, potent liquids and full line of super fruit softgels.

As long-time cherry farmers, it gives Janet and I a special sense of pride when one of Traverse City’s National Cherry Queens comes from a farming background.  That’s the case this year with queen Angela Sayler of Elk Rapids, whose family has over a hundred year history on the land they have farmed.   We want to introduce you to Angela and learn a bit about her.  We’re proud of her and her family, and prouder yet of our long term friendship.  And one more thing—there must be something special in the fruit grown by the Sayler family.  Angela’s younger sister, Sonya, is also a queen—Miss Elk Rapids.

Bob Underwood
FruitFast

How has life on a farm influenced you and your goals in life?
Angela:

Angela operates a fork lift, loading tanks on semi-trucks for cherry juice concentrate and softgels.

Definitely in a positive manner!  I couldn’t be more proud to be the sixth generation on our family farm.  I am grateful for the generations before me because they have shaped my life and love for the land.  I have a huge sense of pride knowing that the fruit we grow reaches many others.  Working together with my family has taught me how vital hard work and determination are.   It is equally important to be good stewards of the land because I hope to continue our family legacy for future generations.

What would you say to other young people (particularly girls) about pursuing their dreams, no matter how lofty?
My advice to everyone would be to live life and don’t hesitate to take chances!  I truly believe that whatever happens; happens for a reason. If you have faith in yourself and what you want out of life, there is no slowing you down. Find something that makes you happy and don’t be afraid to stand up for it. You will meet people along the way that will support you and guide you along a helpful path.  There is something to be gained from every single life experience, and you have to be ready for whatever is thrown your way.

Angela gives her dad a progress report while running the cherry shaker.

What made you decide to compete for the Cherry Queen title?  And what do you hope to gain from this experience?
Growing up in the area, I have seen the many benefits that cherries bring and I knew that I would love nothing more than to help promote them as well as the industry.  As  the sixth generation of our farm, I recognize how important it is to get involved in something you feel passionate about, and I truly have a passion for cherries! This is a huge honor and I am so excited to see what this year will bring.

How will the title help the cherry industry and the future of agriculture in Northwest Michigan and beyond?
My first goal is to promote cherries.  I am eager to utilize this title by representing the Cherry Capital of the World, the tradition of family farms, and the industry as a whole. I hope to reach out and raise awareness about the importance of cherries to this area as well as nationwide. It is such an amazing source of nutrition, it really is a ‘super fruit’ and through marketing and special promotions others will be able to clearly see the benefits of being involved.  I am also honored to be representing the area farmers that are dedicated to educating people.

How does working on a farm impact you?
First of all, working on our farm has been so rewarding.  I have always appreciated the fact that I was born into this valued way of life.  It has taught me that anything is possible through our strong sense of family pride. I have been given so many opportunities to meet truly outstanding individuals in the industry, and I am excited that my experiences on the farm may help me reach out further to educate others.

Queens Angela (far left) and Sonya take an orchard break with their dad, Rick, and Bob Underwood/FruitFast owner and longtime farming friend.

Anything else you would like to comment about as you get into your year-long reign as the National Cherry Queen?
I am really hoping to get out there and do whatever is necessary to help promote the industry. I am eager to in some way, repay all of the wonderful people who have made a difference in my life thus far.

Fall is the perfect time.   It’s when schedules switch back to the school calendar and life seems to have more purpose and focus.   Sure, I’ll miss the summer’s outdoor activities of campfires, beach walks and baseball, but harvest time signals an explosion of Fall color, the missed excitement of  football games, and those bountiful farm markets with bushel baskets brimming with tempting fruit and produce.

If only all that good eating could last…

The next best thing to fresh is FruitFast.  Capturing this goodness is what we do and do so well.  Since we are coming off an extended growing season, there’s a bumper crop of cherries, apples, raspberries, cranberries and blueberries.  So, there is no excuse not to be enjoying the harvest and eating those fruits and veggies for a healthy diet.

FruitFast’s Juice Stimulus pricing remains in effect on our top selling juice concentrates -  Tart Cherry, Wild Blueberry, Red Raspberry and Cranberry.   Plus this month, we are introducing the amazing Great Lakes Cranberry Softgel at a special savings, too, of just $15.95 a bottle.

Food prices are dropping, as reported by the US Department of Agriculture this week, and we are delighted to bring our customers top quality fruit products that are affordable and healthy for good nutritious eating anytime of year.

I’ll be waiting to hear from you – call me Toll Free at 1-877-591-3101.

September and October are harvest months for cranberries and the perfect time to introduce our newest fruit softgel capsules, the Great Lakes Cranberry Softgels. Well known for their health benefits, cranberries receive very high ratings for nutrient value and antioxidant levels.

The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published results of a United States Department of Agriculture research study that measured the antioxidant capacity of 100 common foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, spices, cereals, infant food and others. The research found cranberries to be one of the highest sources of antioxidants from all the foods tested. Many of us already drink cranberry juice for our health so this is a great confirmation although, have you ever stopped to look at the ingredients in a typical bottle of cranberry juice? If you’re still drinking a product like that, let me suggest a healthier, more economical cranberry juice concentrate alternative from our full line of fruit juice concentrates.

Our cranberry juice concentrate is a single ingredient product. That’s right – nothing added. Is it sour? Is it ever. Of course, that’s the way nature would have it. Some fruits are super sweet, others, not so much. When considering making the switch to a better source of cranberry juice, be sure to read the label! My advice, simply order a quart or pint of our single ingredient cranberry juice concentrate. Bottoms up tart lovers!

On the other hand, there are many of us that are not so crazy about sour flavors but want to get in on the antioxidants that:

* Help maintain healthy cardiovascular function* and
* Support healthy urinary tract function*

Well, good news is here! Our new Great Lakes Cranberry Softgels are a perfect fit to any daily health regimen. Backed by an independent lab certificate of analysis, these 800mg paste filled, softgel jewels are worth their weight in gold and what I classify as “the real thing”.

Sign up now for our monthly coupon notification and get in on all our discount specials. You’ll also be the first informed regarding new product development to our brilliant family of healthy fruit softgel capsules, fruit juice concentrates and our new line of healthy pet products.

Whether you’re a fan of sour cranberries or not, our new Cranberry Softgels are sure to satisfy your “urge” to support healthy urinary tract function*.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.