There is renewed interest these days in knowing where our food comes from. More and more people want to be assured that what they consume is fresh and safe to eat.  It’s the trend behind the “Buy Local” campaign that’s sweeping the country.

The Underwoods watch the harvesting of cranberries

It’s the reason why Janet and I took a road trip this past week to visit a Cranberry Bog and see for ourselves where our FruitFast cranberries are grown for our newest fruit product:  Great Lakes Cranberry Softgels.

Our trek took us east across the fingers of the Michigan mitt to the flat farming country near Cheboygan.  We were greeted by Michigan Cranberry Company owners, Wally and Sally Huggett, who open their farm just two days a year so the public can see this unique method of harvesting fruit.

If you think cranberries grow on trees or underwater in wetlands, you’re about to learn something new.

Cranberries grow on low vines and when ripe for picking, unlike tart cherry farmers, there’s no tree shaker to get the job done.  Instead, ripe cranberries are loosened by a special piece of equipment with tynes  mounted on a tractor that rakes the berries from the vines; the field is flooded with water and the cranberries float to the surface.  Much like a cow wrangler herding livestock, workers round-up the berries, encircling them with an inflated hose, and from there they are sucked up into dump trucks and taken to the receiving facility for sorting and grading.  At the end of this process, the cranberries are shipped to processing centers for juicing, canning and freezing.

It’s a beautiful sight to see these bogs brimming with a sea of rosy red cranberries against a backdrop of Fall’s brilliant foliage.  Better yet was the chance to meet another farming family working hard to bring fresh produce to the marketplace.  America farmers are the best!

FruitFast is pleased to purchase fruit from the Huggetts – the state’s largest producer of cranberries and we’re prouder still to know firsthand that we bring our customers choice, locally-grown fruit to ensure top quality fruit supplements.

Take a minute to find out more about the health benefits of cranberries.
It’s a good day when you learn something new – and discover the power of fruit.

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.

“Whatever possessed you to do that?” was the question from a longtime friend who heard we have introduced a new product, CherryFlex® for Dogs.

It may surprise some people but the truth is we have been actively planning for this new venture for some time. The idea began 10 years ago when Janet and I retired from farming and closed our retail farm market operation. We seriously searched for a way to capture the health benefits of fruits in a convenient form that would make them available year-round. It took years of trial and error, but the process we have developed is effective and innovative and we are the only company anywhere with this technology.

The concept of fruit being good for animals is not far-fetched. As lifelong fruit growers, our domestic pets and barnyard animals had fruit in their diets, much like their wild counterparts – deer, bear, birds, raccoons – that depend on berries and seeds for sustenance.

My strong desire has always been to improve the quality of life – and not just for people, but for animals as well. Since discovering the way to lock the fruits’ phytonutrients in a softgel, it only made sense to take it a step further and develop a quality product for animals, too.  We call it the “Power of Fruit.”

After all, our CherryFlex customers have been feeding our softgels to their pets for years!   So we took the same human grade fruit, carefully researched, adapted and tested the formula for canines, and added a natural beef flavor coating.

We’re convinced the pet world is going to like CherryFlex for Dogs, too.

And a reminder during August…customers will receive a CherryFlex dog leash FREE with every order of CherryFlex for Dogs!  So order yours soon.

For generations long distance runners and weekend joggers have had their favorite elixirs — those special mixes that can resemble a potion from a Harry Potter book.

From honey-infused electrolyte replacements to an “eye of newt, bee’s knees and a bat wing,” the tonics are as diverse as the ages of the runners who tout them.

An article in our regional daily newspaper caught my eye, probably because it confirms what we discovered with the recent double blind Winona State University pilot study of our CherryFlex softgel products.

The article appeared in one of Europe’s oldest and most respected daily newspapers: the “London Telegraph,” and touts cherry juice as a way to ease discomfort distance runners frequently experience after training runs and races.

“People who drank the unsweetened cherry juice while training for a long distance relay reported much less duress after exercise than those who did not,” the paper reports.

“Scientists believe cherries’ benefits are likely because of the fruit’s antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins which also give cherries their bright red colour.”

“In the study, 60 healthy adults aged between 18 and 50 years, and who drank 10.5 ounces of cherry juice twice daily in the week before the long distance race, had far less muscle soreness than those who consumed another juice.”

Well there you have it.

And though too many hours on the tractor will probably keep me off the distance running circuit, you might want to tell your running friends about cherry juice and the article in the “London Telegraph.”

In the meantime, keep taking that path less traveled…..

Bob

Colder spring and summer temperatures have delayed the fruit harvest by several weeks, here in the Cherry Capitol of the World.  But farmers and processors are predicting a bountiful crop this year.  The hillsides in the Grand Traverse region in our corner of Michigan have a visible red hue to them as the tart cherries deepen in color.  Although predicted to begin a bit later than usual, cherry picking and shaking should start close to the end of July.

Mother Nature has impacted other commodities, too, with farmers guessing the sweet corn harvest may extend as late as the first of October. The summer mainstay – corn on the cob at summer picnics and barbeques – will have us all anxiously waiting.  ‘Knee high by the Fourth of July’ didn’t hold true this season.

From all accounts, 2009 will yield a bountiful harvest of fruit.  As always, we look forward to bringing you Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast products made from quality fruits that are healthy, affordable and – when it comes to tart cherries -  grown locally.

Seattle, Wash. –  The saying “you are what you eat” gained more support at the 2009 American College of Sports Medicine Convention held recently in Seattle.

Winona State University researchers presented a pilot study abstract with results showing that CherryFlex® softgels, the proprietary Montmorency red tart cherry fruit supplement, significantly altered muscle soreness following strenuous exercise in a double blind study conducted in 2008.

Fourteen healthy college-aged students participated in the study, with half taking CherryFlex fruit softgels, while the other group was given placebo.  The study participants performed five sets of 10 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor after taking CherryFlex softgels for 16 days prior to and three days following exercise.

Lead researcher, Dr. Gary Kastello, said the pilot study results showed improved muscle recovery for those subjects taking the tart cherry softgel.

“Any athlete in training or everyday individuals subjected to strenuous activity can become sore when muscles swell following exercise,” said Dr. Kastello of Winona State University’s Department of Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences.  “The tart cherry supplement decreased discomfort following exercise and resulted in a shortened recovery time.”

A larger study is currently underway at Winona State, a four year university in Minnesota.  This expanded research is focusing on the effect of cherry supplementation in 45-70 year-old subjects, with results expected this December.   Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast officials say the Winona research is the second of two pilot study abstracts released this year on CherryFlex and supports the company’s mission.

“Brownwood Acres is committed to validating, through scientific research, the anecdotal results that our customers have been reporting for years,” said Brownwood owner Steve de Tar.  “As science continues to unlock the secrets to why dark-skinned fruits offer wonderful health properties, Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast plans to lead the charge in educating consumers on the benefits of daily fruit supplementation.”

Using a proprietary process, US grown Montmorency whole tart cherries, including the skin and pulp, are converted into a paste and marketed in soft gelatin capsules.

“Promoting healthy living continues to be our goal with products that are made from premium whole fruit that’s healthy, tasty, convenient and affordable,” said Cherry Capital Services owner Bob Underwood, who developed the process that remains unmatched in the nutraceutical world and whose company funded the Winona study.  “This, coupled with our philosophy to use nature’s formula without preservatives, fillers, coloring or the use of harsh solvents in our products, is the reason we are the leader in this technology.”

To view the entire Winona State University Cherry Study Abstract, go to http://www.brownwoodacres.com/winonastudy.php

Last fall, my business partner, Steve de Tar, and I traveled to Minnesota to the campus of Winona State University.  Our trip had one purpose: to receive the results from a crossover double blind study the schools research division was conducting with our FruitFast product  – CherryFlex.

The aim was to measure the tart cherry softgel’s effects on muscle soreness and strength recovery following strenuous exercise.  To accomplish this, a team of researchers interview, sign up, schedule and instruct participants.  Then they conduct the trials, measure, sample, record and analyze statistics over a period of time from the two groups: one that takes the study product (CherryFlex) and the other that unknowingly takes placebo.

Not surprisingly, we learned that the scientific findings from the cherry supplementation study were positive.  Results showed a decrease in discomfort and faster recovery time from muscle soreness for study subjects taking the regular regimen of CherryFlex.   (click here to view abstract)

Dr. Gary Kastello of the University’s Department of Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences gave us a tour of the research facility – a comprehensive program and curriculum housed in an impressive new building in the center of the 8,000 student campus.  We met with the University president, research staff and students – a professional and dedicated group committed to science education and discovery.

It ended up being a trip that was enlightening in a number of ways.  I saw firsthand the concentration and integrity exhibited by the scientific community.  And was amazed by their intelligence and deductive reasoning skills.  Their efforts resulted in having the cherry supplementation scientific abstract reviewed, accepted and presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting in Seattle this past May.

America’s Super Fruit – the Red Tart Cherry – is increasingly in the spotlight.  And not just this month, which happens to be National Cherry Month.

The reason for the accolades for this vibrant-colored, tart-tasting fruit has everything to do with its natural attributes. You’ve heard about the antioxidant compounds — called anthocyanins — that give tart cherries their brilliant color and continue to demonstrate heart-health benefits.

Now the push by consumers wanting to know where their fruit comes from is a big factor in the growing notoriety of red tart cherries.  The Cherry Marketing Institute says that 95 percent of cherries consumed in this country are American grown.  That means production from field to processor to consumer is scrutinized and regulated for safety and closely monitored to meet federal quality standards.

Buying local and buying American is a trend that holds real importance for consumers.  It’s always been the criterion used by Brownwood Acres/ FruitFast dating back to both of our  companys’ beginnings in the 1940s.  We use ONLY American grown fruit for our popular softgels, bars and dried fruits.  We trust the quality.

So here’s the deal…

To commemorate National Cherry Month, FruitFast has special pricing through February 28 on CherryFlex Softgels.  This natural product made from whole fruit is on sale for just  $16.95 per bottle – a savings of $2.00 as well as free shipping on 12 or more bottles.

In addition to the CherryFlex savings, we are offering a discount on the 1 lb Montmorency Dried Cherry products.  During February, 1 lb packages of Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries can be purchased at $7 along with 1 lb packages of the chocolate covered dried cherries. Choose between dark chocolate or milk chocolate -  the perfect sweet gift for your Valentine.

Products can be ordered online at www.brownwoodacres.com.  Be confident with the home-grown quality FruitFast products provide while “Delivering the Power of Fruit.”

It seems like every commentator in the country has a take on our current economy, or is pointing the finger at someone. But from where I sit, our current problem is not unlike re-starting a stubborn farm engine at harvest time.

The pressure is on and, until you get that engine going again, nothing happens: every thing and every one just kind of stops.

We don’t have to accept a lingering sluggish economy. The main problem is frozen credit markets – and to a lesser extent – our debt, inflation, housing and consumption.

So what we’re planning in 2009 is some good old-fashioned growth!

That’s right, growth comes from small business like ours doing things like hiring, increasing productivity, taking risks—-and innovating! Do that, and improved commerce will follow and take care of itself, along with improvement of other growth factors.

In March we’ll be unveiling a new website and shopping cart, so look for plenty of additions and improvements. We’ll be sharing exciting news of double blind research using the proprietary FruitFast technology and we’ll introduce several inventive health-promoting products.

Making all of this possible, of course, are customers like yourself.

We recognize that and it is in this spirit that we extend to you best wishes for a healthful New Year and a kinder 2009!

Here’s a startling factoid:

If the average American were to fully meet the USDA recommendations for fruit consumption – 2 cups a day – they would need to increase their daily fruit intake by 132 percent!

Now that’s a clear message that most of us need to be eating more fruit.

It’s one reason why FruitFast has added a brand new fruit supplement to our line of leading whole fruit softgels.

We are pleased to welcome Black Raspberry to our family of softgel products!

Adding this not-so-easy-to-find berry to our family of dark-skinned fruits seemed like an easy decision, and it was. Red Tart Cherries, Wonderful Pomegranates, Wild Blueberries and now – Black Raspberry softgels provide a full spectrum of fruits with naturally-occurring antioxidants. Just as our slogan says on every bottle…“Delivering the Power of Fruit.”

As a company, we are dedicated to producing superior, value-added fruit products that are healthy, convenient and bio-available.

Grown in Oregon, our Black Raspberries fit all of these criteria, plus this variety of delectable berry also contains phytonutrients; each Black Raspberry softgel capsule has 70 mg of Anthocyanins and 60 mg of ellagic acid.

But probably the only information you need to focus on is why these softgels should become part of your daily regimen.

The answer is simple: Black Raspberries support healthy cardiovascular function* and are a source of ellagic acid for a healthy immune system.*

As an introductory offer, FruitFast Black Raspberry Softgels are just $14.95 for a 60-count bottle for a limited time. Another perfect opportunity to up your fruit enjoyment…and do your health a favor at the same time.

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