Cranberries have proven their staying power year-after-year. In fact, they have been a part of BC history for at least 150 years. Traded by First Nations people with the Hudson’s Bay Company, they were packed into barrels and sold to shipping companies on the western seaboard to prevent scurvy. Little did they know then that cranberry health benefits would extend far beyond this purpose and that modern day researchers would discover that cranberry antioxidant capabilities are nothing short of miraculous! Recent scientific research shows that cranberries and cranberry products contain significant amounts of antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may help protect against heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
“This year’s cranberry harvest is looking tremendous” says BC Cranberry Marketing Commission Chairman, John Savage. “Conditions are excellent and throughout Canada and the United States we are looking at some of our best production numbers in years.”
In 2008, our 80 farm families will harvest 85 million pounds of cranberries from 6,000 acres from Richmond to Agassiz and on Vancouver Island. Making cranberries the biggest berry crop in BC, and making BC one of the largest cranberry producing regions in Canada!
Which is good news, as cranberry popularity continues to grow. Says Savage, “Consumers can’t seem to get enough of high quality, healthy products like whole fresh or frozen cranberries, cranberry juices and Craisins.”
And it would seem that health savvy consumers know what they are buying. With emerging research on the healthful benefits of consuming cranberries, in a variety of forms on a daily basis, cranberry products serve the dual purpose of function and taste giving consumers more value for their grocery dollar.
More than just a passing trend, BC cranberries are not only a classic for fall and winter but their tangy, fresh taste brings flare to so many recipes throughout the year. The BC Cranberry Marketing Commission wants to tempt your taste buds with recipes created to enhance the unique flavour of cranberries. Find out how special cranberries can be in Cranberry Glazed Ham, Cranberry Chutney and sensational Cranberry Decadent Cookies. Visit our website at www.bccranberries.com for these and other recipes, information on our industry and more.
Cranberries never go out of style! They are available year-round as fresh, frozen, dried or in juice. With so many convenient ways to enjoy them you can easily ensure you are getting your daily dose of this tasty and healthy addition to your diet. Bring some home today.
For more information, contact:
Geraldine Auston
Director of Communications T: 604.820.4451
BC Cranberry Marketing Commission E: gauston@shaw.ca
www.bccranberries.com
