Some of my fondest childhood memories are tied directly to Traverse City’s primary industry—cherries. I was born and raised here and as a child the annual Cherry Festival with parades, cherry ice cream socials and farm markets loaded with fresh picked cherries made July a favorite month. As soon as the harvest was in, my parents would load all five kids in the car, destination — farm markets. Sitting under cherry trees on a warm summer day, eating cherries out of cardboard containers was something to look forward to after a long cold winter. One of my favorite spots to go was the Underwood Farm Market for homemade jams and jellies. I didn’t know Bob and Janet Underwood then, but how ironic that I now work for FruitFast as their office assistant and bookkeeper.

I met my husband, Dale, in college and after graduation he moved to Traverse City. One of his first jobs here was on Old Mission Peninsula picking cherries. I don’t know a single person who didn’t spend a summer in an orchard picking cherries—so it was a great “you’re now a resident” welcoming. At the end of the summer he used all the money he earned to buy my engagement ring. It’s a favorite family story that we share often.

In 1980, Dale joined the Air Force and we spent the next 24 years traveling the globe exploring new places, cultures, and cuisines. When he retired we returned to Traverse City and I began working for the Underwood’s in 2004. The healthy diet philosophy behind all that we do at Fruitfast fits perfectly with our healthy eating family philosophy.

My blog goal is to share favorite recipes that we have gathered over the years. Since we are all about the FruitFast philosophy, we incorporate the Cherryflex Liquid, Pomegranate Liquid, and Mixed Berry Liquid in our recipes. If you have any special recipes or unique ways that you incorporate the liquid, softgels or dried cherries in your personal recipes we would love to hear from you. We are all about sharing.

Debbie Colaianni